Cartridge, attachment and mounting kit

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus comprises a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, with the main assembly including a driving shaft. The image forming apparatus also includes a cartridge detachably mountable to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus, the cartridge including (i) a photosensitive drum and (ii) a coupling positioned adjacent to an end portion of the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The coupling is engageable with the driving shaft by the coupling moving in the axial direction in a state in which the cartridge is tilted relative to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cartridge, an attachment, a mountingkit, and an image forming apparatus.

The cartridge is mountable to and dismountable to the apparatus mainassembly of the image forming apparatus (electrophotographic imageforming apparatus).

The attachment can be mounted to the main assembly of the image formingapparatus separately from the cartridge.

In addition, the attachment and the cartridge are collectively calledmounting kit.

The image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus which forms animage on a recording material by using an electrophotographic imageforming process. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, anelectrophotographic printer (LED printer, laser beam printer, and soon), a facsimile machine, a word processor, and the like are included.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter, alsosimply referred to as “image forming apparatus”), theelectrophotographic photosensitive member, which is generally a drumtype as an image bearing member, that is, the photosensitive drum(electrophotographic photosensitive drum) is uniformly charged. Next, anelectrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on thephotosensitive drum by selectively exposing the charged photosensitivedrum. Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitivedrum is developed into a toner image with toner as a developer. Then,the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto arecording material such as recording sheet or a plastic sheet, and heator pressure is applied to the toner image transferred on the recordingmaterial to fix the toner image, thus performing the image recordingoperation.

Such an image forming apparatus generally requires toner replenishmentand maintenance for various process means. In order to make easier thesetoner replenishment and maintenance operations, the photosensitive drum,the charging means, the developing means, the cleaning means, and so onare collectively provided in a frame into a cartridge, and the cartridgewhich can be mounted to and dismounted from the image forming apparatusmain assembly has been put into practical use.

According to this cartridge system, portions of the deice which requiresmaintenance operation can be effected by the user himself/herselfwithout relying on the service person in charge of after-sales service.Therefore, the operability of the apparatus can be remarkably improved,and an image forming apparatus having excellent usability can beprovided. For this reason, this cartridge method is widely used with animage forming apparatus.

A process cartridge is an example of such a cartridge. The processcartridge is a device in which the electrophotographic photosensitivedrum and the process means acting on the electrophotographicphotosensitive drum are integrally formed into a cartridge and which isdismountably mounted to the main assembly of the image formingapparatus.

In the process cartridge described above, a structure is widely used inwhich a coupling member is provided at a free end of the photosensitivedrum in order to transmit the driving force from the apparatus mainassembly to the photosensitive drum. Japanese Laid-open PatentApplication No. 2016-40625 proposes a structure in which a couplingmember is structured to be able to advance and retract in thelongitudinal direction, and a structure is proposed in which a push rodprovided in a process cartridge is operated to trigger theadvancement/retraction movement of the coupling member. Further, astructure has been proposed in which the advancement/retraction movementof the coupling member is effected by moving the tension cord fixed tothe coupling member (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.2016-40625).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved

An object of the present invention is to further develop theabove-mentioned prior art.

Means for Solving the Problem

A typical structure according to the present application is a cartridgedetachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus,the main assembly including a drive output member configured to output adriving force, a main assembly side pushing member configured to inclinethe drive output member by pushing the drive output member, thecartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum; and    -   a cartridge side pushing member configured to change an        inclination angle of the drive output member by pushing the main        assembly side pushing member.

Another typical structure according to the present application is acartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum provided in a front part of the cartridge;        and    -   a movable pushing member provided at one side of the cartridge        in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, in a front        part of the cartridge,    -   wherein the pushing member is configured to perform at least (a)        a first operation of moving in an axial direction of the        photosensitive drum toward an outside of the cartridge and (b) a        second operation of moving in a direction different from the        axial direction.

Another typical structure according to the present application is acartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum provided in a front part of the cartridge;    -   a first movable member provided adjacent to an end portion of        the photosensitive drum so as to be movable in an axial        direction of the photosensitive drum;    -   a second movable member provided on the same side as the side        provided with the first movable member in the axial direction of        the photosensitive drum, the second movable member being        configured to perform at least (a) a first operation of moving        in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum toward an        outside of the cartridge and (b) a second operation of moving in        a direction different from the axial direction.

Another typical structure according to the present application is anattachment mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus,the main assembly including a drive output member configured to output adriving force, a main assembly side pushing member configured to inclinethe drive output member by urging the drive output member, wherein acartridge is detachably mountable to the main assembly, the attachmentcomprising:

-   -   a contact portion configured to change an inclination angle of        the drive output member by moving, for connecting the drive        output member with the cartridge, the main assembly side pushing        member in contact with the main assembly side pushing member.

Another typical structure according to the present application is acartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an apparatus, theapparatus including an inclinable drive output member capable ofoutputting a driving force, the cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum;    -   an engagement member provided adjacent to an end portion of the        photosensitive drum so as to be movable in an axial direction of        the photosensitive drum, the engagement member being engageable        with the drive output member; and    -   a movable positioning member configured to determine a position        of the cartridge inside the main assembly,    -   wherein the engagement member is configured to be brought into        contact with the drive output member by moving toward the drive        output member, and    -   wherein the cartridge is configured such that by movement of the        positioning member in a state that the engagement member is in        contact with the drive output member, (a) an inclination angle        of the drive output member is changed, and (b) the cartridge is        moved to a mounted position which is inside the main assembly.

Another typical structure is a cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum provided in a front part of the cartridge;    -   an engagement member provided adjacent to an end portion of the        photosensitive drum so as to be movable in an axial direction of        the photosensitive drum;    -   an operation member configured to move the engagement member in        the axial direction toward an outside of the cartridge by        receiving an external force from an outside of the cartridge;        and    -   a positioning member provided at a position which is in a front        part of the cartridge and which is on a side opposite from the        engagement member in the axial direction of the photosensitive        drum, the positioning member projecting toward a front side of        the cartridge and movable toward a rear side thereof.

Another typical structure a cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum provided in a front part of the cartridge;    -   an engagement member provided adjacent to an end portion of the        photosensitive drum so as to be movable in an axial direction of        the photosensitive drum;    -   a movable positioning member provided at a position which is in        a front part of the cartridge and which is on the same side as        the side provided with the engagement member in the axial        direction of the photosensitive drum; and    -   an operation member configured to move the positioning member        away from an axis of the photosensitive drum by receiving an        external force from an outside of the cartridge.

Another typical structure is a cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum provided in a front part of the cartridge;    -   a first movable member provided adjacent to an end portion of        the photosensitive drum so as to be movable in an axial        direction of the photosensitive drum;    -   a second movable member provided outside the photosensitive drum        at a position which is in the front part of the cartridge and        which is on the same side as the side provided with the first        movable member; and    -   an operation member configured to move the second movable member        toward the front side by receiving an external force from an        outside of the cartridge.

Another typical structure is an attachment mountable to a main assemblyof an image forming apparatus, the main assembly including an inclinabledrive output member capable of outputting a driving force, wherein acartridge is detachably mountable to the main assembly, the attachmentcomprising:

-   -   a movable positioning member configured to determine the        position of the cartridge inside the main assembly of the image        forming apparatus,    -   wherein the positioning member is configured such that by        movement of the positioning member in a state that an engagement        member provided on the cartridge is in contact with the drive        output member, (a) an inclination angle of the drive output        member is changed, and (b) the cartridge is moved to a mounted        position which is inside the main assembly.

Another typical structure is a cartridge detachably mountable to a mainassembly of an image forming apparatus, the main assembly including aninclinable drive output member capable of outputting a driving force,the cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum;    -   a pushing member provided outside the photosensitive drum and        movable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the        pushing member being configured to change an inclination angle        of the drive output member by pushing the drive output member;        and    -   an engagement member provided adjacent to an end portion of the        photosensitive drum so as to be movable in an axial direction of        the photosensitive drum, the engagement member being configured        to be enabled to engage with the drive output member by moving        toward the drive output member pushed by the pushing member.

Another typical structure is a cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum provided in a front part of the cartridge;    -   an engagement member provided adjacent to an end portion of the        photosensitive drum so as to be movable in an axial direction of        the photosensitive drum;    -   a pushing member provided outside the photosensitive drum at a        position which is in the front part of the cartridge and which        is on the same side as the side provided with the engagement        member; and    -   an operation member configured to cause the engagement member to        move in the axial direction toward an outside of the cartridge        by receiving an external force from an outside of the cartridge.

Another typical structure is a cartridge detachably mountable to a mainassembly of an image forming apparatus, the main assembly including aninclinable drive output member capable of outputting a driving force,the cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum;    -   a gear member configured to cause the drive output member to        approach to the cartridge by rotation thereof in a state of        being in engagement with a gear portion provided in the drive        output member; and    -   a contact portion provided outside the photosensitive drum and        configured to change an inclination angle of the drive output        member by contacting the drive output member caused to approach        to the cartridge by the gear member.

Another typical structure is a cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum;    -   a developing roller;    -   a gear member provided on a first side of the cartridge in an        axial direction of the photosensitive drum; and    -   an inclined portion provided on the first side of the cartridge        outside the photosensitive drum,    -   wherein when a second side of the cartridge is a side opposite        from the first side in the axial direction,        -   at least a part of teeth of the gear member is more away            from the second side than the inclined portion in the axial            direction of the photosensitive drum,        -   a distance measured from the axis of the photosensitive drum            to the inclined portion in a direction perpendicular to the            axis increases as a distance from the second side of the            cartridge in the axial direction increases, and    -   wherein as viewed in a direction of the axis of the        photosensitive drum, a center of the gear member is within the        range of more than 60° and less than 120°, as measured from a        line extending from a center of the photosensitive drum through        the center of the developing roller, toward an upstream in a        rotational direction of the photosensitive drum.

Another typical structure is an attachment for a main assembly of theimage forming apparatus to which a cartridge is detachably mountable,the main assembly including a drive output member capable of outputtinga driving force, the attachment comprising:

-   -   a gear member configured to cause the drive output member to        approach to the cartridge to connect the drive output member        with the cartridge by rotation thereof in a state of being in        engagement with a gear portion of the drive output member.

Another typical structure is a cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum;    -   a gear member provided on a first side of the cartridge in an        axial direction of the photosensitive drum; and    -   an inclined portion provided on the first side of the cartridge,    -   wherein when a second side of the cartridge is a side opposite        from the first side in the axial direction,        -   at least a part of teeth of the gear member is more away            from the second side than the inclined portion in the axial            direction of the photosensitive drum,        -   a distance measured from the axis of the photosensitive drum            to the inclined portion in a direction perpendicular to the            axis increases as a distance from the second side of the            cartridge in the axial direction increases, and    -   wherein the gear member is movable such that a distance from an        axis of the photosensitive drum to the axis of the gear member        is changed.

Another typical structure is a cartridge detachably mountable to a mainassembly of an image forming apparatus, the main assembly including aninclinable drive output member capable of outputting a driving force,the cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum; and    -   a coupling member provided adjacent to an end portion of the        photosensitive drum, capable of transmitting the driving force        toward the photosensitive drum and movable in an axial direction        of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including (a) a        driving force receiving portion capable of receiving the driving        force from the drive output member and (b) an inclined portion        movable together with the driving force receiving portion in the        axial direction and rotatable together with the driving force        receiving portion,    -   wherein the inclined portion is more remote from an axis of the        photosensitive drum than the driving force receiving portion,        and    -   the inclined portion is configured to contact the drive output        member to reduce an inclination angle of the drive output member        to enable engagement between the drive output member and the        driving force receiving portion when the coupling member moves        toward the drive output member.

Another typical structure is a cartridge detachably mountable to a mainassembly of the image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising:

-   -   a photosensitive drum having a first end portion and a second        end portion opposite from the first end portion; and    -   a coupling member provided adjacent to a first end portion of        the photosensitive drum, capable of transmitting a driving force        to the photosensitive drum and movable in an axial direction of        the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including a        projected driving force receiving portion and an inclined        portion capable of advancing and retracting together with the        driving force receiving portion,    -   wherein the inclined portion is more away from the axis of        photosensitive drum than the driving force receiving portion,        and    -   wherein a distance measured from the axis of the photosensitive        drum to the inclined portion in a direction perpendicular to the        axis increases as a distance from the second end portion of the        photosensitive drum in the axial direction increases.

Effect of the Invention

The conventional structure can be further developed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus.

In FIG. 2 , part (a) is a sectional view of a cartridge, part (b) is aperspective view of the cartridge, and part (c) is an enlarged viewaround a coupling member.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drive transmission member and relatedmembers.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive transmission member.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the drive transmission member.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the drive transmission member.

In FIG. 7 , part (a) is a side view of the cartridge, and part (b) is asectional view of the cartridge.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the drive transmission member.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the drive transmission member.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the drive transmission member.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the drive transmission member.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the gear.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the cartridge.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of the driving force transmission member.

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the cartridge.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a photosensitive drum and the couplingmember.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a ring member.

FIG. 18 is a partially exploded view of the cartridge.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of the cartridge.

FIG. 20 is an illustration of a drive transmission member 81.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 22 is an illustration of the cartridge.

In FIG. 23 , part (a) is a perspective view of the cartridge, and part(b) is an enlarged view of the cartridge.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the coupling member.

FIG. 25 is an illustration of the drive transmission member.

FIG. 26 is an illustration of the drive transmission member.

FIG. 27 is an illustration of a drive transmission member.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of the drive transmission member and thecartridge.

FIG. 29 is an illustration of a pressing member.

FIG. 30 is an illustration of operation of an acting member.

FIG. 31 is an illustration of operation of a push-down member.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating an attachment.

FIG. 33 is an illustration of the drive transmission member and theattachment.

FIG. 34 is an illustration of the drive transmission member.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the attachment.

FIG. 36 is an illustration of the attachment and the drive transmissionmember.

FIG. 37 is an illustration of the attachment and the drive transmissionmember.

FIG. 38 is an illustration of the attachment and the drive transmissionmember.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 40 is a section of the drum drive transmission portion.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a periphery of a side member.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the periphery of the side member.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the periphery of the side member.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the periphery of the side member.

FIG. 45 is a perspective view around a second lever member.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the periphery of the second levermember.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of an apparatus main assembly and theprocess cartridge.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the apparatus main assembly and theprocess cartridge.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the periphery of the drive transmissionmember.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view around the second lever member.

FIG. 51 is a view of the apparatus main assembly and the processcartridge as viewed from above.

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the periphery of the drive transmissionmember.

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the apparatus main assembly and theprocess cartridge.

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of the periphery of the drive transmissionmember.

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the apparatus main assembly and theprocess cartridge.

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the periphery of the second levermember.

FIG. 57 is a view of the apparatus main assembly and the processcartridge as viewed from above.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view of the periphery of the drive transmissionmember.

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of the coupling member.

FIG. 60 is an illustration of a modified example of a lever member.

FIG. 61 is an illustration of the modified example of the lever member.

FIG. 62 is an illustration of the modified example of the lever member.

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of a periphery of anadvancement/retraction member.

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of the periphery of theadvancement/retraction member.

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of the advancement/retraction memberstructure.

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of the advancement/retraction memberstructure.

FIG. 68 is a view of the periphery of the drive transmission member asviewed from above.

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of the apparatus main assembly and theprocess cartridge.

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of the periphery of theadvancement/retraction member.

FIG. 71 is a view of the periphery of the drive transmission member asviewed from above.

FIG. 72 is a view of the periphery of the drive transmission member asviewed from above.

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of the apparatus main assembly and theprocess cartridge.

FIG. 74 is a view of the periphery of the drive transmission member asviewed from above.

FIG. 75 is an illustration of a modified example in which the structureof the lever member is partially changed.

FIG. 76 is an illustration of a modified example in which the structureof the lever member is partially changed.

FIG. 77 is an illustration of a modified example in which the structureof the lever member is partially changed.

FIG. 78 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning unit.

FIG. 79 is an illustration showing an attitude of the cartridge in themain assembly of the apparatus.

FIG. 80 is an illustration of operation of a positioning member.

FIG. 81 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a process of mountingthe cartridge to the main assembly of the apparatus.

FIG. 82 is an illustration of a modified example of a positioningmember.

FIG. 83 is a perspective view of the periphery of the side member.

FIG. 84 is a sectional view of the periphery of the drive transmissionmember.

FIG. 85 is an illustration of the drive transmission member and thecover member.

FIG. 86 is an illustration of the cartridge.

FIG. 87 is a partial view of the cartridge.

FIG. 88 is an illustration of the drive transmission member and thepush-down member.

FIG. 89 is an illustration of the cartridge.

FIG. 90 is an illustration of the cartridge.

FIG. 91 is an illustration of the cartridge.

FIG. 92 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 93 is a perspective view of the advancement/retraction member andthe periphery of the coupling member.

FIG. 94 is a perspective view of the advancement/retraction member andthe periphery of the coupling member.

FIG. 95 is a perspective view of the advancement/retraction member andthe periphery of the coupling member.

FIG. 96 is an operation illustration of the advancement/retractionmember, the coupling member, and the third lever member.

FIG. 97 is an operation illustration of the advancement/retractionmember, the coupling member, and the third lever member.

FIG. 98 is an operation illustration of the advancement/retractionmember, the coupling member, and the third lever member.

FIG. 99 is an illustration of mounting the process cartridge.

FIG. 100 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 101 is a perspective view of the advancement/retraction member andthe periphery of the coupling member.

FIG. 102 is a perspective view of the advancement/retraction member andthe periphery of the coupling member.

FIG. 103 is an operation illustration of the advancement/retractionmember, the coupling member, and the third lever member.

FIG. 104 is an operation illustration of the advancement/retractionmember, the coupling member, and the third lever member.

FIG. 105 is an operation illustration of the advancement/retractionmember, the coupling member, and the third lever member.

FIG. 106 is an illustration of mounting the process cartridge.

FIG. 107 is a perspective view of the process cartridge.

FIG. 108 is a perspective view of the advancement/retraction member andthe periphery of the coupling member.

FIG. 109 is a perspective view of the advancement/retraction member andthe periphery of the coupling member.

FIG. 110 is a perspective view of the advancement/retraction member andthe periphery of the coupling member.

FIG. 111 is an operation illustration of the advancement/retractionmember, the coupling member, and the third lever member.

FIG. 112 is an operation illustration of the advancement/retractionmember, the coupling member, and the third lever member.

FIG. 113 is an operation illustration of the advancement/retractionmember, the coupling member, and the third lever member.

EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described in detail in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

The direction of the rotation axis of the electrophotographicphotosensitive drum is simply referred to as the longitudinal direction,unless otherwise specified.

Further, in the longitudinal direction, a side on which theelectrophotographic photosensitive drum receives the driving force fromthe image forming apparatus main assembly is a driving side, and theopposite side thereto is a non-driving side.

Referring to FIG. 1 , parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 2 , the overallstructure and the image formation process will be described.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the apparatus main assembly(electrophotographic image forming apparatus main assembly, imageforming apparatus main assembly) A of an electrophotographic imageforming apparatus and a process cartridge (hereinafter, referred to ascartridge B). Part (a) of FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the cartridge B.Here, the apparatus main assembly A is a portion of theelectrophotographic image forming apparatus excluding the cartridge B.The cartridge B is mountable to and dismountable from the apparatus mainassembly A.

Part (b) of FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge. As shown inthis Figure, the cartridge B comprises a photosensitive drum 62 and acoupling member 64 which receives a driving force for rotating thephotosensitive drum 62 and can transmit the driving force toward thephotosensitive drum 62. In an axial direction Z parallel to a rotationaxis Q2 of the photosensitive drum 62, the downstream side in the arrowz1 direction on which the coupling member 64 is provided is the driveside (first side) Bz1 of the cartridge B. Further, the downstream sidein the arrow z2 direction is the non-driving side (second side) Bz2 ofthe cartridge B, which is the opposite side to the driving side Bz1.

Unless otherwise specified, the side of the cartridge where thephotosensitive drum is placed is regarded as the front of the cartridge.That is, the left side in part (a) of FIG. 2 is the front side of thecartridge, and the right side is the rear side.

Details of the structure of the cartridge B will be describedhereinafter.

<General Arrangement of Electrophotographic Image Forming Apparatus>

The electrophotographic image forming apparatus (image formingapparatus) shown in FIG. 1 is a laser beam printer using anelectrophotographic system in which the cartridge B is mountable to andmountable from the apparatus main assembly A. There is provided anexposure device 3 (laser scanner unit) for forming a latent image on theelectrophotographic photosensitive drum 62 as an image bearing member ofthe cartridge B when the cartridge B is mounted to the apparatus mainassembly A. Further, a sheet tray 4 containing a recording material(hereinafter, referred to as a sheet material PA) to be subjected toimage forming operation is provided under the cartridge B. Theelectrophotographic photosensitive drum 62 is a photosensitive member(electrophotographic photosensitive member) used for forming anelectrophotographic image thereon.

Further, the apparatus main assembly A includes a pickup roller 5 a, afeeding roller pair 5 b, a feed roller pair 5 c, a transfer guide 6, atransfer roller 7, a feeding guide 8, and a fixing device 9, adischarging roller pair 10, a discharge tray 11, and the like which arearranged along the feed direction D of the sheet material PA. The fixingdevice 9 includes a heating roller 9 a and a pressure roller 9 b.

<Image Forming Process>

Next, the outline of the image formation process will be described. Inresponse to a print start signal, the electrophotographic photosensitivedrum (hereinafter, referred to as the photosensitive drum 62, or simplythe drum 62) is rotationally driven in an arrow R direction at apredetermined peripheral speed (process speed).

The charging roller (charging member) 66 to which the bias voltage isapplied contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62 anduniformly charges the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. Thecharging roller 66 is a rotatable member (roller) which can rotate andmove in contact with the drum 62. The charging member is not limited tosuch a rotatable contact roller type, and a charging member (charger)fixed with a space from the drum 62, such as a corona charger, can beused.

The exposure device 3 outputs a laser beam L in accordance with theimage information. The laser beam L passes through the laser opening 71h provided in the cleaning frame 71 of the cartridge B, and scans andexposes the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62. By this, anelectrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information isformed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum 62.

On the other hand, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 2 , in the developingunit 20 as a developing device, toner T in the toner chamber 29 isstirred and fed to the toner supply chamber 28, by the rotation of thefeeding member (stirring member) 43.

The toner T is carried on a surface of the developing roller 32 by amagnetic force of a magnet roller 34 (fixed magnet). The developingroller 32 is a developer carrying member which carries the developer onthe surface thereof in order to develop the latent image (electrostaticlatent image) formed on the drum 62 with the developer (toner T). Inthis embodiment, a non-contact developing method is used to develop thelatent image with a small gap provided between the developing roller 32and the drum 62. It is also possible to employ a contact type developingmethod in which the latent image is developed with the developing roller32 in contact with the drum 62.

By the developing blade 42, the toner T is triboelectrically charged,and the layer thickness thereof on the peripheral surface of thedeveloping roller 32 as the developer carrying member is regulated.

The toner T is supplied to the drum 62 in accordance with theelectrostatic latent image to develop the latent image. By this, thelatent image is visualized into a toner image. The drum 62 is an imagebearing member which carries the latent image or the image (toner image,developer image) formed of toner (developer) on the surface thereof.

Further, the drum 62 and the developing roller 32 are rotatable members(rotating members) which can rotate while carrying the developer (toner)on the surface thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in timed relation with the output timing of thelaser beam L, the sheet material PA stored in a lower portion of theapparatus main assembly A is moved from the sheet tray 4 by the pickuproller 5 a, the feeding roller pair 5 b, and the feed roller pair 5 c.Then, the sheet material PA is fed to a transfer position which isbetween the drum 62 and the transfer roller 7, by way of a transferguide 6. At this transfer position, the toner image is sequentiallytransferred from the drum 62 onto the sheet material PA.

The sheet material PA onto which the toner image is transferred isseparated from the drum 62 and fed into the fixing device 9 along afeeding guide 8. Then, the sheet material PA passes through the nipportion provided between the heating roller 9 a and the pressure roller9 b constituting the fixing device 9. Pressure and heat fixing processis performed at this nip portion, by which the toner image is fixed onthe sheet material PA. The sheet material PA which has been subjected tothe toner image fixing process is fed to the discharge roller pair 10and is discharged to the discharge tray 11.

On the other hand, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 2 , the drum 62 aftertransfer is used again in the image forming process after the residualtoner is removed from the outer peripheral surface by the cleaning blade77. The toner removed from the drum 62 is stored in a waste tonerchamber 71 b of a cleaning unit 60. The cleaning unit 60 is a unitincluding a photosensitive drum 62.

In the above description, the charging roller 66, the developing roller32, the transfer roller 7, and the cleaning blade 77 are the processmeans (process member, acting member) actable on the drum 62.

<Overall Structure of the Entire Cartridge>

Next, referring to FIG. 2 , the overall structure of the cartridge Bwill be described. Part (a) of FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of thecartridge. Part (b) of FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge.Part (c) of FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a periphery of the couplingmember 64.

The cartridge B includes a cleaning unit (photosensitive member holdingunit, drum holding unit, image carrying member holding unit, first unit)60, and a developing unit (developer carrying member holding unit,second unit) 20.

The cartridge B of this embodiment is a process cartridge. The processcartridge comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive member and atleast one of the process means actable on the photosensitive memberwhich are integrated into a cartridge so that the process cartridge canbe mounted to and dismounted from the main assembly (apparatus mainassembly). Examples of process means include charging means, developingmeans, cleaning means and the like.

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 2 , the cleaning unit 60 includes a drum62, a charging roller 66, a cleaning member 77, and a cleaning frame 71which supports them. The drum 62 is rotatably supported by the cleaningframe 71. The cleaning frame 77 is a part of the cartridge frame(casing), supports each member arranged in the cleaning unit, and formsa waste toner chamber 71 b which will be described hereinafter.

In the cleaning unit 60, the charging roller 66 and the cleaning member77 are arranged in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drum62, respectively. The cleaning member 77 includes a rubber blade 77 a,which is a blade-shaped elastic member made of rubber as an elasticmaterial, and includes a support member 77 b which supports the rubberblade. The rubber blade 77 a is in contact with the drum 62counterdirectionally with respect to the rotational movement directionof the drum 62. That is, the rubber blade 77 a is in contact with thedrum 62 so that free end portion thereof faces the upstream side in therotational movement direction of the drum 62. The waste toner removedfrom the surface of the drum 62 by the cleaning member 77 is stored inthe waste toner chamber 71 b formed by the cleaning frame 71 and thecleaning member 77.

Further, a receptor sheet 65 for preventing waste toner from leakingfrom the cleaning frame is provided at the edge of the cleaning frame 71so as to contact with the drum 62.

The charging roller 66 is rotatably mounted to the cleaning unit 60 byway of a charging roller bearing (not shown) at opposite ends of thecleaning frame 71 in the longitudinal direction.

The longitudinal direction of the cleaning frame 71 (longitudinaldirection of the cartridge B) is substantially parallel to the directionin which the rotation axis of the drum 62 extends (axis direction).Hereinafter, when a longitudinal direction or an axial direction issimply referred to, the axial direction of the drum 62 is intended,unless otherwise specified. The axial direction is the direction inwhich the axis or a line parallel to the axis extends.

The charging roller 66 is pressed against the drum 62 by pressingcharging roller bearings 68 toward the drum 62 by an urging member (notshown). The charging roller 66 is driven by the rotation of the drum 62.

The developing unit 20 includes a developing roller 32, a developingcontainer 23 which supports the developing roller 32, a developing blade42, and so on. The developing roller 32 is rotatably mounted to thedeveloping container 23 by bearing members (not shown) provided at theopposite ends. The developing container 23 and the bearing membersmounted to the developing container are a part of the cartridge frame(casing), similarly to the cleaning frame 71 described above. One of theframe of the cleaning unit (cleaning frame 71, and so on) and the frameof the developing unit 20 (development container 23, and so on) may bereferred to as a first frame (first casing), and the other may bereferred to as a second frame (first).

Further, a magnet roller 34 is provided in the developing roller 32. Inthe developing unit 20, a developing blade 42 for regulating the tonerlayer on the developing roller 32 is provided. Spacing members 38 aremounted at opposite ends of the developing roller 32 (not shown), andwhen the spacing member 38 and the drum 62 contacting with each other,the developing roller 32 is held with a small gap from the drum 62. Inaddition, a blowout prevention sheet 33 for preventing toner fromleaking from the developing unit 20 is provided at the edge of thebottom member 22 in contact with the developing roller 32. Furthermore,a feed member 43 is provided in the toner chamber 29 formed by thedeveloping container 23 and the bottom member 22. The feed member 43stirs the toner contained in the toner chamber 29 and transports thetoner to the toner supply chamber 28.

<Tilting Mechanism for Drive Transmission Member>

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 to 6 , the tilting mechanism for the drivetransmission member 81 of the apparatus main body A will be described.The drive transmission member 81 is a drive output member which outputsa driving force. It engages with a coupling member (see FIG. 7 )provided in the cartridge B by a mechanism which will be describedhereinafter, and transmits a driving force to the cartridge. Althoughthe details will be described hereinafter, the drive transmission member81 is supported so as to be tiltable.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a support structurefor the drive transmission member 81. FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofthe drive transmission member 81. Part (a) of FIG. 5 is a side view ofpart (b) of FIG. 3 as viewed from the direction of arrow P1 with theopening/closing door 13 (see FIG. 1 ) closed. Part (b) of FIG. 5 is across-section of X1-X1 of part (a) of FIG. 5 . Part (a) of FIG. 6 is aside view of part (b) of FIG. 3 seen from the direction of arrow P1 withthe opening/closing door 13 open. Part (b) of FIG. 6 is a sectional viewtaken along a line X2-X2 of part (a) of FIG. 6 , and part (c) of FIG. 6is a sectional view taken along a line X3-X3 of part (a) of FIG. 6 .

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 3 and part (b) of FIG. 3 , the drivetransmission member 81 is provided with a sliding portion 81 a which isrotatably supported by a support hole 82 a of a support side plate 82provided in the apparatus main assembly A. The support side plate 82 isprovided with a projection 82 b and a projection 82 c. The drivetransmission member 81 has a cylindrical portion 81 b which is insertedinto the hole portion 85 a provided in the frame 85 by way of thecylindrical cam 83. An inner peripheral surface 83 a of the cylindricalcam 83 is slidably supported by an annular rib 85 c of the frame 85. Thecylindrical cam 83 can move in an arrow H1 direction and an arrow H2direction in interrelation with the opening/closing operation of theopening/closing door 13 by a mechanism (not shown). The frame 85 isprovided with a boss 85 b, which rotatably supports a hole portion 84 aof a pressing member 84. As shown in FIG. 4 , the drive transmissionmember 81 includes a gear portion (output gear portion) 81 f which is aright-handed helical gear. In this embodiment, tip diameter φD3, firstmodule, first helix angle, and root diameter φD6 of the gear portion 81f are

-   -   ϕD3=φ25.5 (mm),    -   first module=0.7,    -   first helix angle=25°,    -   ϕD6=φ22.35.

The units of the module and the diameters are mm (millimeter)(hereinafter, the same applies). Further, a circumferential slit 81 g isprovided at the free end of the drive transmission member 81, and theouter diameter φD7 and the inner diameter φD8 of the slit 81 g are

-   -   ϕD7=φ20,    -   ϕD8=φ15.8.        Further, a slope 81 h is provided at the free end of the drive        transmission member 81. Further, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 5        , the pressing member 84 is urged in the direction of an arrow        E1 about the boss 85 b by a spring (not shown). By this, a        contact portion 84 b of the pressing member 84 presses the        cylindrical portion 81 b of the drive transmission member 81        with a pressing force F1. Here, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 5 ,        the drive transmission member 81 is freely tiltable about the        edge 82 a 1 of the support hole 82 a as a fulcrum within a play        between the diameter φD1 of the sliding portion 81 a and the        diameter φD2 of the support hole 82 a of the support side plate        82. At the same time, it can freely advance and retract in the        direction of the axis Q1 of the sliding portion 81 a. Therefore,        the drive transmission member 81 is tilted in the direction of        arrow N1 by the pressing force F1.

When the opening/closing door 13 is opened, the cylindrical cam 83 movesin the direction of the arrow H1 in interrelation with theopening/closing door 13. As a result, the contact surface 83 b of thecylindrical cam 83 comes into contact with the contacted surface 81 c ofthe drive transmission member 81, so that the drive transmission member81 moves in the direction of arrow H1 together with the cylindrical cam83 as shown in part (b) of FIG. 6 . Then, the abutting surface 81 d ofthe drive transmission member 81 comes into contact with at least one ofthe projections 82 b and the projection 82 c of the support side plate82. By this, the drive transmission member 81 is inclined in thedirection of arrow N2 as shown in part (a) of FIG. 6 and part (c) ofFIG. 6 .

The reasons for inclining the drive transmission member 81 as describedabove are, for example, as follows. The cartridge B can be mounted toand dismounted from the apparatus main assembly A. Depending on thestructure of the cartridge and the main assembly of the apparatus, it ispossible to smoothly remove and set the cartridge B by inclining thedrive transmission member 81 when mounting or dismounting the cartridge.That is, by inclining the drive transmission member 81, it may be easierto avoid interference between the cartridge B and the drive transmissionmember 81 when the cartridge B is mounted or dismounted.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the drive transmission member 81 isprovided tiltably so that the inclination angle of the drivetransmission member 81 becomes larger especially when theopening/closing door 13 for mounting/dismounting the cartridge B isopened.

Even if the drive transmission member 81 can be greatly tilted, it isdesirable to reduce the inclination angle of the drive transmissionmember 81 when connecting the drive transmission member 81 and thecartridge B with each other. The means for reducing the inclination ofthe drive transmission member 81 will be described below.

<Coupling Member Engagement Mechanism>

Next, referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 7 to 11 , the coupling member 64 and thestructure required for the coupling member 64 and the drive transmissionmember 81 to engage with each other will be described. The couplingmember 64 is a member (drive input member, input coupling) for receivinga driving force (rotational force) for rotating the drum 62 and thedeveloping roller 32 from the outside of the cartridge B (that is, theimage forming apparatus main assembly). Part (a) of FIG. 7 is a sideview of the drive side of the cartridge B, and part (b) of FIG. 7 is across-sectional view of X4-X4 in part (a) of FIG. 7 . Part (a) of FIG. 8, part (a) of FIG. 9 , part (a) of FIG. 10 , and FIG. 11 (a) are sideviews in a state that the cartridge B is inserted. Part (b) of FIG. 8 ,part (b) of FIG. 9 , part (b) of FIG. 10 , and FIG. 11 (b) are sectionalviews taken along lines X5-X5, X6-X6, X7-X7 and X8-X8 of part (a) ofFIG. 8 , part (a) of FIG. 9 , part (a) of FIG. 10 , and FIG. 11 (a),respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the drive transmission member 81 includes a recess(drive transmission portion 81 e) having a substantially triangularshape. The coupling member 64 receives a driving force by engaging adriven transmission portion 64 a of the coupling member 64 shown in part(a) of FIG. 7 with the recess (drive transmission portion 81 e). Thecoupling member 64 is an engaging member which engages with the drivetransmission member 81. The driven transmission portion 64 a is placedon the axis of the photosensitive drum 62.

As described above, the side of the cartridge provided with the couplingmember 64 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 62 isreferred to as the drive side, and the opposite side of the drive sideis referred to as the non-drive side. Part (a) of FIG. 7 is a side viewof the drive side. Further, the side of the cartridge on which thephotosensitive drum 62 is provided is referred to as the front side, andthe right side is the front side and the left side is the rear side inpart (a) of FIG. 7 . The front of the cartridge corresponds to thedownstream side in the mounting direction of the cartridge, and the rearcorresponds to the upstream side in the mounting direction. Unlessotherwise specified, the upper and lower parts of the cartridge aredefined in the attitude shown in part (a) of FIG. 7 . In part (a) ofFIG. 7 , a cleaning unit including the photosensitive drum is disposedon the developing unit including the developing roller.

As shown in part (b) of FIG. 7 , the coupling member 64 is fixed to theend of the photosensitive drum by means such as press fitting orclamping.

Therefore, when the coupling member 64 rotates, the photosensitive drum62 also rotates. The photosensitive drum 62 and the members which rotateintegrally with the photosensitive drum 62 and are collectively referredto as a drum unit. The coupling member 64 is a part of the drum unit.

A sliding portion 64 c of the coupling member 64 is rotatably supportedby a bearing portion 76 a of a side member 76 integrally fixed to thecleaning frame 71. The side member 76 is a portion that partially formsa side surface on the drive side of the cartridge and is a portion ofthe frame (casing) of the cartridge.

In addition, the coupling member 64 is provided with a gear portion 64b. A developing roller gear 36 is provided at the end of the developingroller 32, and the gear portion 64 b of the coupling member 64 mesheswith the developing roller gear 36. By this, the driving force(rotational force) received by the coupling member 64 from the drivetransmission member 81 is transmitted to the photosensitive drum 62 andthe developing roller 32. In this embodiment, the driven transmissionportion 64 a of the coupling member 64 employs a projection shape(projection) having a substantially triangular cross-section.Specifically, a shape is employed which is provided by twisting asubstantially triangular cross-section counterclockwisely about the axisof the photosensitive drum from the driving side to the non-drivingside. However, the driven transmission portion 64 a is not limited tothe one having such a shape, and may be any one that can engage with thedrive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 4 ) to receive the driving force.In this embodiment, the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatusmain assembly A is provided with a substantially triangular recess(drive transmission portion, output coupling portion) 81 e which canengage with the driven transmission portion 64 a. Therefore, the driventransmission portion 64 a has a projection shape which engageable withthe recess portion. The number of the projection shape is not limited tobut may be plural, and the shape is not limited to a triangle.Furthermore, the projection shape is like a twisted triangle, but itdoes not necessarily have to be twisted.

On the other hand, a damper gear 87 is rotatably supported by the sidemember 76. The damper gear 87 has a predetermined rotational resistanceprovided by a mechanism such as a rotary damper including a built-in oildamper. The damper gear 87 includes a gear portion 87 a which is aleft-handed helical gear. As shown in part (a) of FIG. 7 , in thisembodiment, the distance D9 between the addendum circle of the gearportion 87 a and the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62, the tip end circlediameter φD10 of the gear portion 87 a, the second module, the secondhelix angle D, the root diameter φD13 and the distance D14 between thededdendum circle and the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62 are

-   -   D9=11.3    -   ϕD10=φ10,    -   second module=0.7,    -   second helix angle=20°,    -   ϕD13=φ6.85,    -   D14=12.875.        That is, with respect to the addendum diameter φD3, the first        module, the first helix angle, and the deddedum φD6 of the gear        portion 81 f of the drive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 4 and        part (a) of FIG. 11 , a relationship    -   D6/2<D9<D3/2<D14    -   first module=D10=0.7    -   first helix angle=second helix angle=20° is satisfied.        In this embodiment, the damper gear 87 is on a straight line K2        substantially perpendicular to the straight line K1 connecting        the rotating axis Q2 of the drum 62 and the rotating axis Q3 of        the developing roller 32, with respect to the rotating axis Q2        of the drum 62. The damper gear 87 is provided at a position 90°        upstream of the rotational direction R of the drum 62 with        respect to the developing roller 32.

Further, the side member 76 is provided with an arcuate inclined rib(projecting portion) 86 projecting from the side member 76. In thisembodiment, the range S1 in which the inclined rib 86 is provided is±45° on the side opposite from the rotation axis Q3 of the developingroller 32 with respect to the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62. The innerdiameter RD15 and the outer diameter RD16 of the inclined rib 86 are

-   -   RD15=R8.1    -   RD16=R9.8.        That is, in relation to the outer diameter φD7 and the inner        diameter φD8 of the slit 81 g of the drive transmission member        81, a relationship of D8<2×D15<2×D16<D7 is satisfied (see FIG. 4        and part (a) of FIG. 11 ). In addition, as shown in part (c) of        FIG. 2 , part (b) of FIG. 7 and FIG. 84 , the inclined rib 86 is        provided with an inclined surface (inclined portion, contact        portion) 86 a.

Next, referring to FIGS. 8 to 11 , the engagement of the coupling member64 will be described. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the opening/closingdoor 13 is opened, that is, the state in which the cartridge B has beeninserted into the apparatus main assembly A in the state, that is, inthe state shown in FIG. 6 . FIG. 9 shows a state when theopening/closing door 13 is closed from the state of FIG. 8 . FIG. 10shows a state in which the apparatus main assembly A is driven and thedrive transmission member 81 is rotated, from the state of FIG. 9 . FIG.11 shows a state in which the drive transmission member 81 is furtherrotated from the state of FIG. 10 and the drive transmission member 81and the coupling member 64 are engaged with each other. In FIGS. 8 to 11, for better illustration, only three portions of the cartridge B, thatis, the coupling member 64, the damper gear 87, and the side member 76,are shown.

When the cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main assembly A fromthe state in which the opening/closing door 13 is opened, that is, fromthe state of part (t) of FIG. 6 he damper gear 87 is in the neighborhoodof the gear portion 81 f of the drive transmission gear 81 inclined inthe N2 direction, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 8 . The gear portion 81 fof the drive transmission member 81 and the gear portion 87 a of thedamper gear 87 are separated by a gap D17. At this time, the drivetransmission portion 81 e of the drive transmission member 81 and therotation axis Q2 of the drum 62 are misaligned due to the misalignmentamount D18. Further, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 8 , the drivetransmission portion 81 e of the drive transmission member 81 and thedriven transmission portion 64 a of the coupling member 64 are separatedby a gap D19 in the longitudinal direction.

When the opening/closing door 13 is closed here, the cylindrical cam 83moves in the direction of arrow H2 shown in part (b) of FIG. 8 , so thatthe contact surface 83 b of the cylindrical cam and the contact surface81 c of the drive transmission member 81 are separated from each other.As described above, the drive transmission member 81 is pressed by thepressing member 84 with the pressing force F1, and therefore, the drivetransmission member 81 is inclined in the direction of arrow N3 as shownin part (a) of FIG. 9 . As a result, the gear portion 81 f of the drivetransmission member 81 and the gear portion 87 a of the damper gear 87are brought into meshing engagement with each other in the region S2.The drive transmission portion 81 e of the drive transmission member 81is in a state of being misaligned with respect to the rotation axis Q2of the drum 62 due to the amount D20 of misalignment.

In this state, the apparatus main assembly A is driven to rotate thedrive transmission member in the direction of the arrow G1 about therotation axis Q1. As described above, the damper gear 87 has apredetermined rotational resistance. For this reason, between the gearportion 81 f of the drive transmission member 81, which is a helicaltooth gear, and the gear portion 87 a of the damper gear 87, the meshingforce F2 in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of thephotosensitive drum and the engagement force F3 in the thrust directionshown in part (b) of FIG. 9 are produced. As a result, the drivetransmission member 81 is moved in the direction of arrow H3 along therotation axis Q1. Then, as shown in FIG. 84 , the slope 81 h is guidedby the slope 86 a of the inclined rib 86, and as a result, the free endsurface 81 k and the free end 64 d of the coupling member 64 come intocontact with each other with an amount D21 of misalignment in the N4direction, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 10 and part (b) of FIG. 10 . Atthis time, the relationship between the misalignment amount D20 and themisalignment amount D21 is D20>D21.

When the drive transmission member 81 further rotates in the directionof the arrow G1 from this state, the phases of the drive transmissionportion 81 e of the drive transmission member 81 having a substantiallytriangular shape and the driven transmission portion 64 a of thecoupling member 64 are brought into alignment with each other. Then, thedrive transmission member 81 further moves in the direction of the arrowH3, and as shown in FIG. 11 , the drive transmission portion 81 e of thedrive transmission member and the driven transmission portion 64 a ofthe coupling member 64 are engaged with each other.

In this embodiment, the damper gear 87 is an independent gear having apredetermined rotational resistance, but such a structure is not alwaysnecessary. For example, it may be a part of a drive train connected withthe charging roller 66 or the feed member 43. In that case, it is notnecessary to incorporate an oil damper or the like as described above inthe damper gear 87 by utilizing the rotational resistance of the drivetrain.

Further, in this embodiment, the center of the damper gear 87(rotational axis) is placed at a position moved by 90° from the positionof the center of the developing roller 32 (rotational axis) toward theupstream side of the rotational direction R of the drum 62, but it isnot necessary to place the damper gear 87 exactly at this position, theposition may be such that it can mesh with the gear portion 81 f of thedrive transmission member 81 inclined in the direction of arrow N3, asshown in part (a) of FIG. 9 . For example, the drum 62 may be arrangedin a range of 60° to 120° toward the upstream side of the drumrotational direction R with respect to the developing roller 32.

Further, although the damper gear 87 is a helical gear in the foregoingdescription, it is not always necessary to use the damper gear 87, andit is sufficient that the damper gear 87 meshes with the gear portion 81f of the drive transmission member 81.

For example, a spur gear 230 having thin facewidth as shown in part (a)of FIG. 12 or a structure in which projections as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 12 are arranged in a spiral profile may be used. If it is a thinspur gear 230 as shown in part (a) of FIG. 12 , it can be engaged withthe helical gear of the drive transmission member 81. It is conceivablethat the facewidth of the spur gear 230 is 1 mm or less.

Further, in the gear 232 having the shape shown in part (b) of FIG. 12 ,four projections 232 a are arranged obliquely with respect to the axisof the gear. These four projections 232 a are considered to be the teeth232 b of the helical gear divided into four. That is, the gear 232 canbe considered as one form of the helical gear. In the presentapplication, when referring to helical gear of the cartridge, the gearin the form of the gear 232 is also included.

Further, in this structure, the inclined rib 86 is provided in the rangeS1 within a range of ±45° in the region opposite from the developingroller with respect to the axis of the photosensitive drum. However,this is not always necessary, and it will suffice if it is in a positionwhere the slope 81 h of the drive transmission member 81 inclined in thearrow N3 direction and the arrow N4 direction can be guided thereby. Forexample, it may be provided in a range of ±10° on the opposite side fromthe developing roller or it may be provided over the entirecircumference of 360°.

The structure of the above cartridge is summarized below.

As shown in part (b) of FIG. 2 , the coupling member (input couplingmember, drum coupling, engaging member, drive input member) 64 isprovided in the neighborhood of the drive-side end (first end) 62 z 1 ofthe photosensitive drum 62. The coupling member 64 includes a projectingdriven transmission portion (drive input portion, driving forcereceiving portion, input coupling portion) 64 a, and the driventransmission portion 64 a is structured to receive the driving forcefrom the drive transmission portion 81 e of the driving forcetransmission member 1 (see FIG. 11 ). In this embodiment, the shape ofthe cross-section of the driven transmission portion 64 a issubstantially triangular, but the shape is not necessarily limited tosuch a shape.

Further, the cartridge B further includes a gear member (damper gear) 87and an inclined rib 86 (inclined portion 86 a). The gear member 64 andthe inclined portion 86 a are arranged on the drive side Bz1 of thecartridge B like the coupling member 64. That is, the coupling member64, the inclined portion 86 a, and the gear member 64 are arranged inthe neighborhood of the side member 76. The side member 76 is a part ofthe frame of the cartridge and is a member constituting one side (driveside, first side) of the frame in the axial direction Z.

At least a portion of the inclined portion 86 a is located outside (thedownstream side in the direction indicated by the arrow z1) in the axialdirection Z with respect to the non-driving transmission portion 64 a(see part (b) of FIG. 2 and part (b) of FIG. 11 . In other words, in theaxial direction Z, at least a part of the inclined portion 86 a isplaced more remote (away from) from the non-driven side 71 z 2 of theframe of the cartridge B than the driven transmission portion 64 a. Ineven other words, in the axial direction Z, at least a part of theinclined portion 86 a is more remote from the non-driven side end(second end) 62 z 2 of the photosensitive drum than the driventransmission portion 64 a.

At least a part of the teeth of the gear member 87 is placed outside(the downstream side in the direction indicated by the arrow z1), in theaxial direction Z, of the driven transmission portion 64 a (see part (b)of FIG. 2 and part (b) of FIG. 7 . In other words, in the axialdirection Z, at least a part of the teeth of the gear member 87 is moreremote from the non-driven side (second side) 71 z 2 of the frame of thecartridge B than the driven transmission portion 64 a. In other words,in the axial direction Z, at least a part of the teeth of the gearmember 87 is more remote from the non-driving side end portion (secondend portion) 62 z 2 of the photosensitive drum than the non-drivingtransmission portion 64 a.

When the cartridge B is viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum62, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 7 , the teeth of the gear member 87 areplaced in the neighborhood of the outer peripheral surface of thephotosensitive drum 62. Further, the center of the gear member 87 isplaced in a range between 60 degrees and 120 degrees toward the upstreamside in the rotational movement direction R of the drum 62 with respectto the line extending from the center of the photosensitive drum 62toward the center of the developing roller. When the drive transmissionmember 81 rotates while the output gear portion 81 f (see part (a) ofFIG. 4 of the drive transmission member 81 is engaged with the dampergear (gear member) 87, the drive transmission member 81 approaches tothe cartridge B by the force generated by the engagement of the gears.At this time, the inclined rib (inclined portion) 86 a comes intocontact with the drive transmission member 81 (slope 81 h) (see part (b)of FIG. 10 . As a result, the inclination angle of the drivetransmission member 81 relative to the drum 62 is reduced, and therecess (output coupling portion) 81 e of the drive transmission member81 is enabled to engage with the driven transmission portion 64 a of thecartridge B (see part (b) of FIG. 11 . With such a structure, theinclined drive transmission member 81 is connected to the cartridge B,and the drive force can be transmitted from the drive transmissionmember 81 to the cartridge B.

In this embodiment, the coupling member 64 is used as the drive inputmember which receives the driving force from the drive transmissionmember 81.

However, the drive input member which is connected to the drivetransmission member 81 to receive the driving force is not limited tothe coupling member 64. A gear member capable of receiving a drivingforce by engaging with the gear portion 81 f of the drive transmissionmember 81 may be provided on the cartridge separately from the dampergear 87.

For example, in this embodiment, the developing roller gear 36 connectedto the developing roller 32 is structured to receive the driving forceby way of the coupling member 64 (see part (b) of FIG. 7 . However, thedeveloping roller gear 36 may be exposed to the outside of the cartridgeand then directly meshed with the gear portion 81 f of the drivetransmission member 81. That is, after the inclination angle of thedrive transmission member 81 is reduced by the inclined rib 86 a, thegear portion 81 f of the drive transmission member 81 may be engagedwith the developing roller gear 36, and the drive transmission member 81and the cartridge may be connected so as to be capable of transmittingthe driving force.

An example of the gear member of the cartridge which can receive adriving force for rotating the developing roller 32 by engaging with thegear portion 81 f of the drive transmission member 81 in this manner isthe gear member 187 shown in part (a) of FIG. 15 . The gear member 187is a member connected to the developing roller 32 so as to be capable ofdrive-transmission. Although the damper gear 87 is not shown in FIG. 15, it can be deemed that the damper gear 87 is placed at the sameposition as in FIG. 1 . The structure of the cartridge in which thedrive input member which receives the driving force is providedseparately from the coupling member 64 will be described in Embodiment2.

If the developing roller gear 36 (187) connected to the developingroller is structured to directly engage with the drive transmittingmember 81 to receive the driving force, the driving force can betransmitted from the gear 36 (187) to the photosensitive drum 62. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 22 , the photosensitive drum 62 and thedeveloping roller 32 are connected through gears 39 and 63, and thedriving force may be transmitted from the drive transmission member 81to the photosensitive drum 62 by way of the developing roller 32.

That is, the gear member 36 (187) as the drive input member can beconnected to the photosensitive drum 62 by way of the developing roller32 and other gears 39 and 63 so as to be capable of drive-transmission.In such a case, the photosensitive drum 62 does not need to receive thedriving force from the coupling member 64. The coupling member 64 may beused merely as an engaging member which engages with the drivetransmission member 81 so that the driving force is not transmitted fromthe coupling member 64 toward the photosensitive drum 62. Alternatively,the coupling member 64 as the engaging member can be removed from thecartridge.

However, the coupling member 64 as the engaging member positions thedrive transmission member 81 with respect to the cartridge by engagingwith the recess 81 e of the drive transmission member 81. From thatpoint of view, it is further preferable to leave the engaging memberwhich engages with the drive transmission member 81 in the cartridge.

The coupling member 64 is provided with the driven transmission portion64 a in the form of an engaging portion (projection) capable of engagingwith the recess 81 e (see part (c) of FIG. 2 . If the coupling member 64is merely an engaging member which does not transmit a driving forcetoward the photosensitive drum 62, the shape of the driven transmissionportion 64 a may be changed. For example, the shape of the driventransmission portion 64 a can be a cylindrical projection which can beengaged with the recess 81 e of the drive transmission member 81. Thecylindrical engaging portion cannot receive a driving force from thedrive transmitting member 81 even when engaged with the recess 81 e.Therefore, the coupling member 64 does not transmit the driving forcetoward the photosensitive drum 62, and is merely an engaging member.

The structure of this embodiment is summarized below.

The image forming apparatus main assembly A includes the tiltable drivetransmission member (drive output member) 81 capable of outputting thedriving force.

On the other hand, the cartridge is provided with the photosensitivedrum 62 and the damper gear (gear member) 87. The damper gear 87 isprovided on the drive side of the cartridge. The damper gear 87 rotatesin a state of being engaged with the gear portion 81 f provided on theouter peripheral surface of the drive transmission member 81 to bringthe drive transmission member closer to the cartridge (see part (b) ofFIG. 9 , part (b) of FIG. 10 and part (b) of FIG. 11 ). This is becausethe damper gear 87 is rotationally driven by the drive transmissionmember 81, so that a force F3 (see part (b) of FIG. 9 that pulls thedrive transmission member 81 toward the cartridge is generated.

Further, an inclined rib (inclined portion) 86 for contacting the drivetransmission member approaching the cartridge by the damper gear 87 isplaced on the drive side of the cartridge (see part (b) of FIG. 9 andFIG. 84 ). The drive transmission member 81 moves along the inclinationof the inclined rib 86, so that the inclination angle of the drivetransmission member 81 changes. That is, the inclination angle of thedrive transmission member 81 with respect to the photosensitive drum 62becomes smaller. By this, the drive transmission member 81 is connectedto the cartridge so that the drive can be transmitted. In thisembodiment, the coupling member 64 is provided as a drive input memberwhich receives a driving force from the drive transmission member 81(see part (a) of FIG. 7 .

In the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a part ofthe damper gear 87 is placed relatively on the drive side with respectto the inclined rib 86 (see part (b) of FIG. 7 . That is, at least apart of the damper gear 87 is on the downstream side in the directionindicated by the arrow Z1 with respect to the inclined rib 86.

In other words, in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, atleast a part of the damper gear 87 is placed more remote from thenon-driving side of the cartridge than the inclined rib 86.

In the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a part ofthe damper gear 87 is placed relatively on the drive side with respectto the driven transmission portion (driving force receiving portion) 64a of the coupling member 64 (see part (b) of FIG. 7 ). In other words,in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a part ofthe damper gear 87 is placed at a position more away from the non-drivenside of the coupling member 64 than the driven transmission portion(driving force receiving portion) 64 a. The damper gear 87 is placedcloser to the arrow Z1 than the driven transmission portion 64 a.

When the cartridge is viewed along the axis of the cartridge, the axis(center) of the damper gear 87 is placed in an angular range of 60° to120° toward the upstream of the axis (center) of the developing roller32 in the drum rotation direction R about the axis (center) of the drum62. That is, comparing the line passing extending from the center of thephotosensitive drum to the center of the developing roller and the lineextending from the center of the photosensitive drum and passing throughthe center of the damper gear 87, the latter line is upstream of theformer line in the rotational direction R, and the angle between the twolines is greater than 60° and less than 120°. In this embodiment, whenthe former line is rotated 90° upstream in the rotational direction R,it overlaps with the latter line.

The damper gear 87 can be engaged with the gear portion 81 f (see FIG. 4), which is a helical gear. In this embodiment, the damper gear 87 isalso a helical gear (see part (c) of FIG. 2 .

The inclined rib 86 for changing the inclination angle of the drivetransmission member 81 is structured so that the drive side thereof ismore remote from the axis Q2 of the photosensitive drum than thenon-drive side thereof (see part (b) of FIG. 7 . That is, when thedistance from the axis Q2 of the photosensitive drum to the inclined ribis measured along the direction perpendicular to the axis Q2, thedistance increases as the distance from the non-driving side of thecartridge increases in the axial direction. In part (b) of FIG. 7 , thedistance between the inclined rib 86 and the axis Q2 increases towardthe direction of arrow z1.

Embodiment 2

Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. The same points as in theabove-described embodiment will be omitted. In particular, among theelements disclosed in this embodiment, those corresponding to themembers described in the Embodiment 1 are given the same names as thoseof the members of the Embodiment 1, and the description will be made asto the elements different from those of the Embodiment 1.

In Embodiment 1, the position of the damper gear 87 is fixed withrespect to the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62, but in this embodiment,the axis of the damper gear 87 is movable relative to the rotation axisQ2 of the drum 62.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the cartridge B in this embodiment. As shownin FIG. 13 , a gear holder 88 is mounted to the side member 76 so as tobe swingable about the rotation axis Q3. Further, a damper gear 87 ismounted to the gear holder 88 so as to be rotatable about the rotationaxis Q4. Similarly to Embodiment 1, the damper gear 87 has apredetermined rotational resistance. An urging spring 89 is mounted tothe side member 76, and the gear holder 88 is urged by the urging forceF21. As a result, the gear holder 88 abuts on the abutting portion 76 bof the side member 76. Further, the side member 76 is provided with aninclined rib 86 at a position substantially opposite from the dampergear 87 with respect to the rotation axis Q2 of the drum 62, in a rangeS3 of ±45°.

When the cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main assembly A, thegear portion 81 f of the drive transmission member 81 and the gearportion 87 a of the damper gear 87 are brought into meshing engagementwith each other in the region S4, as shown in FIG. 14 . The drivetransmission member 81 is inclined in the direction of arrow N5, and thegear holder 88 resists the urging force F21 of the urging spring 89 bythe contact force F22 between the gear portion 81 f and the gear portion87 a, so that it swings in the direction of arrow V1 around the rotationaxis Q3. In this embodiment, the moving direction of the gear 87 is adirection crossing the axis of the gear 87. More specifically, the gear87 can move in a direction perpendicular to its own axis.

Here, when the opening/closing door 13 is closed, the drive transmissionmember 81 moves by the meshing force in the thrust direction between thegear portion 81 f of the drive transmission member 81 and the gearportion 87 a of the damper gear 87. As a result, as in the Embodiment 1,the slope 81 h of the drive transmission member 81 is guided by theinclined surface 86 a of the inclined rib 86, so that the drivetransmission portion 81 e of the drive transmission member 81 and thenon-drive transmission portion 64 c of the coupling member 64 arebrought into engagement with each other.

In this embodiment, the swing center Q3 of the gear holder 88 whichsupports the damper gear 87 is provided on the side member 76, but it isnot always necessary, and it will suffice if the drum 62 can be movedrelative to the rotation axis Q2. For example, as shown in FIG. 15 , agear 187 in driving connection with the developing roller 32 by anOldham coupling may be used. With the above-described structure, thedamper gear 87 can move in a direction crossing the axis thereof, asshown in part (a) of FIG. 15 and part (b) of FIG. 15 . In addition, thedriving force can be transmitted to the developing roller 32 by rotatingthe gear 187. Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to transmit the drive tothe developing roller 32 by way of the gear portion 64 b (see part (b)of FIG. 7 of the coupling member 64.

It is also possible to transmit the driving force received from the gear187 to the photosensitive drum 62. When the driving force is transmittedfrom the gear 187 to the photosensitive drum 62, the coupling member 64does not have to receive the driving force from the drive transmissionmember 81. That is, the coupling member 64 is an engaging member whichsimply engages with the drive transmission member 81, and it is notnecessary to provide the engaging member with a driving forcetransmission function. Alternatively, the coupling member 64 may becompletely removed from the cartridge.

Referring to FIG. 22 , an example of a structure in which a gear (gearmember) 187 is used instead of the coupling member 64 to receive adriving force from the drive transmission member 81 will be described,wherein FIG. 22 shows a modified example in which the drive train ispartially different from this embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the non-driving side of the cartridgeB. As shown in this Figure, a drum drive gear 39 is provided at thenon-drive side end of the developing roller 32. Further, a drum drivengear 63 is provided at an end portion 62 z 2 on the non-driven side ofthe drum 62.

When the developing roller 32 is rotationally driven by the drivetransmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A by way of thegear 187, the drive is transmitted from the drum drive gear 39 to thedrum driven gear 63, and the drum 62 is rotationally driven. With thisstructure, it is not necessary to provide the driven transmissionportion 364 a of the coupling member 64, and the structure of thecartridge B can be simplified.

In any case, the gear members 87 and 187 in this embodiment can moverelative to the frame of the cartridge B and the photosensitive drum inthe direction crossing the rotation axis of the gear members 87 and 187.Even if the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81changes, the gear member (187) can move following it. As compared withEmbodiment 1, the latitude in arranging the gear members can beincreased, in this embodiment.

In addition, one cartridge may include both of the gear 87 shown in FIG.13 and the gear 187 shown in FIG. 15 . That is, the gear 87 for bringingthe drive transmission member 81 closer to the inclined rib of thecartridge and a gear 187 for receiving a driving force for rotating thedeveloping roller 32 and the like from the drive transmission member 81may be provided separately. In this case, the gear 87 does not have tobe structured to movable while the gear 87 can move in a directionintersecting its axis. This is because the gear 187 may be fixed at aposition where it can be engaged with the drive transmission member 81the inclination angle of which is reduced in contact with the inclinedrib 86.

Embodiment 3

In the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the drivetransmission member 81 is moved in the arrow H2 direction (see FIG. 8 )by the meshing engagement force in the thrust direction with the dampergear 87 to engage with the coupling member 64 has been described. Inthis embodiment, a structure in which the drive transmission member 81is engaged with the coupling member 64 without moving in the directionof the arrow will be described. In this embodiment as well, the samepoints as in the above-described embodiment will be omitted. Among theelements disclosed in this embodiment, those corresponding to themembers described in the above-described embodiment are given the samenames as the members in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the pointsdifferent from those in the above-mentioned embodiment only will bedescribed.

Referring first to FIGS. 16 to 17 , the driving side flange unit 369will be described. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the driving sideflange unit 369. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the drivingside flange unit 369.

As shown in FIG. 16 , a drive-side flange member 75, a coupling member364, and a first pressing member 59 are provided at the drive-side endof the drum 62. The drive side flange member 75 is fixed to the drum 62by means such as press fitting or clamping. Further, in the couplingmember 364, the supported portion 364 b is fitted and supported by thecoupling support portion of the drive side flange member 75, and ismovable in the rotation axis Q2 direction of the drum 62. Further, thefirst pressing member 59 is provided between the driving side flangemember and the coupling member 364, to press the coupling member 364 inthe direction of arrow H301 with the pressing force F301. The couplingmember 364 is provided with the driven transmission portion (inputcoupling portion) 364 a which engages with the drive transmissionportion (output coupling portion) 81 e (see FIG. 4 ) of the drivetransmission member 81. Further, the coupling member 364 has acylindrical portion 364 g so as to surround the driven side transmissionportion 364 a. The free end of the cylindrical portion has an inclinedsurface (inclined portion) 364 g 1. The inclined surface 364 g 1 is at aposition away from the axis Q2 of the driven transmission portion 364 aand has a tapered shape which opens outward in the longitudinaldirection.

In addition, the coupling member 364 is provided with a groove-shapeddrive transmission portion pair 364 c recessed from the supportedportion 364 b. On the other hand, the coupling support portion 75 b ofthe drive side flange member 75 is provided with a pair of driventransmission portions 75 c having a projection shape which enters thepair of the drive transmission portion 364 c. By this, the drivetransmission portion pair 364 c comes into contact with the driventransmission portion pair 75 c, so that the driving force is transmittedfrom the coupling member 364 to the drive side flange member 75.

Subsequently, referring to Figure, the cleaning unit 60 including thedrive-side flange unit 369 described above will be described.

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view illustrating the structure of thedrive side of the cleaning unit 60 according to this embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 18 , the side member 376 has a cylindrical innerperipheral surface 376 a which supports the coupling member 364, acylindrical outer peripheral surface 376 b which supports a cam member70 (which will be described hereinafter), and a projection 376 cprojecting outward from the cylindrical outer peripheral surface.Further, a lever member (operation member) 12 and a cam member 70 areprovided between the driving side flange unit 369 and the side member376.

The lever member 12 comprises an abutting portion 12 a provided on oneend side, an engaged portion 12 b provided on the other end side, aslide supporting portion 12 c connecting the abutting portion 12 a andthe engaged portion 12 b, and the like. The cam member 70 is aring-shaped member including a supported portion 70 e which is acylindrical inner peripheral surface. Further, the cam member 70 has aninner end surface 70 c on the inner side in the longitudinal direction,a first surface 70 a on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, asecond surface 70 d parallel with the first surface 70 a and recessedinward in the longitudinal direction from the first surface 70 a, and aninclined surface 70 b which smoothly connects the first surface 70 a andthe second surface 70 d is provided.

The lever member 12 is disposed such that the slide supporting portion12 c is placed between slide ribs 371 g provided on the cleaning frame371, and is supported so as to be movable in the directions of arrows Y1and Y2 relative to the cleaning frame 371. The supported portion 70 e ofone of the advancing/retracting cam members 70 fitted with thecylindrical outer peripheral portion 376 b of the side member 376, andis supported by the side member 376 so as to be rotatable and movable inthe axis Q2 direction.

Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 18 and 19 , the interrelated operationof the lever member 12, the cam member 70, and the coupling member 376will be described.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of the interrelated operation between thelever member 12 and the coupling member 364.

First, the engaged portion 12 b provided at one end of the lever member12 is engaged with the lever member engaging portion 70 a of theadvancing/retracting cam member 70. By this, the movement of the levermember 12 in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2 and the rotation of thecam member 70 are interrelated. The lever member 12 is an operatingmember operated to move the coupling member 364 forward and backward inthe axial direction.

When the user moves the lever member 12 in the direction of the arrowY1, the effect is as follows. As a result of the movement of the arrowY1 of the lever member 12, the cam member 70 rotates counterclockwiselyin part (a) of FIG. 18 (clockwise in part (b)) of FIG. 18 . Then, theportion of the cam member that contacts the projection 376 c of the sidemember 376 moves from the first surface 70 a to the second surface 70 dby way of the inclined surface 70 b. By this, the cam member 70 moves inthe direction of arrow Z1 together with the coupling member 364 whileusing the urging force of the first pressing member 59 (see FIG. 16 ).

On the contrary, when the user moves the lever member 12 in thedirection of the arrow Y2 opposite to the direction of the arrow Y1, thecam member 70 rotates in the direction opposite to that described above,and the coupling member 364 moves in the direction of arrow Z2 againstthe urging force of the first pressing member. In other words, thecoupling member 364 moves toward the outside of the photosensitive drum,that is, in the direction in which the free end of the coupling member364 moves away from the photosensitive drum.

As described above, the movements of the lever member 12 in the arrowsY1 and Y2 directions and the movements of the coupling member 364 in thearrows Z1 and Z2 directions are interrelated with each other by way ofthe cam member 70.

Referring to FIG. 20 , a structure in which the cleaning unit 60 havingthe above structure is mounted in the apparatus main assembly A and thedrive of the drive transmission member 81 and the coupling member 364 isconnected will be described.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view illustrating how the coupling member 364 isconnected to the drive transmission member 81.

First, the lever member 12 is moved in the direction of arrow Y2 beforemounting the cartridge B to the apparatus main assembly A. Then, asdescribed above, the coupling member 364 is in a state of having beenmoved in the direction of arrow Z2. When the cartridge B is mounted onthe apparatus main assembly A in this state kept, as shown in part (a)of FIG. 20 and part (b) of FIG. 20 , the coupling member 364 takes aposition separated from the drive transmission member 81 in thelongitudinal direction. At this time, the large gear is inclined in thearrow N1 direction as in the above-described embodiment. When the levermember 12 is moved in the direction of arrow Y1 from this state, thecoupling member 364 moves in the direction of arrow Z1 shown in FIG. 18thereby, as shown in part (c) of FIG. 20 and part (d) of FIG. 20 . As aresult, the inclined surface 364 approaches the slope surface 81 h ofthe drive transmission member 81. Thereafter, the inclined surface 364of the coupling member 364 comes into contact with the slope surface 81h of the drive transmission member 81, so that the inclination angle ofthe drive transmission member 81 decreases. Then, as shown in part (e)of FIG. 20 and part (f) of FIG. 20 , the inclined surface 364 g 1 entersa slit portion 81 g of the drive transmission member 81 while reducingthe inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81. Finally, therecess 81 e of the drive transmission member 81 and the driventransmission portion 364 a are engaged with each other (see FIGS. 20Eand 20F).

On the contrary, when the cartridge B is to be removed from theapparatus main assembly A, the lever member 12 is moved in the directionof the arrow Y2. Then, the coupling member 364 moves in the direction ofarrow 72, disengages from the drive transmission portion, and finallyreturns to the states shown in part (a) of FIG. 20 and part (b) of FIG.20 . By this, the cartridge B can be removed from the apparatus mainassembly A.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by moving the couplingmember 364 in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) by way of thelever member 12, the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus mainassembly A and the coupling member 364 can be engaged and disengagedrelative to each other as desired.

In this embodiment, the lever member 12 is moved by the user's manualoperation in the present embodiment, but an urging member such as aspring which urges the lever member 12 to move it in the direction ofarrow Y2 may be provided. In addition, as shown in FIG. 21 , a portion(cartridge pressing member 1) for moving the lever member 12 in thedirection of the arrow Y1 may be provided on the opening/closing door ofthe apparatus main assembly A.

In FIG. 21 , the cartridge pressing member 1 interrelated with theopening/closing door 13 presses not only the cartridge but also thelever member 12 as the opening/closing door 13 closes. With thisoperation, the lever member 12 moves in the direction of arrow Y2relative to the frame of the cartridge. With such a structure, the userdoes not need to operate the lever member 12 when mounting/dismountingthe cartridge B, so that usability is improved.

The structure of the cartridge B of this embodiment is summarized asfollows.

In this embodiment, the coupling member (engagement member, movablemember, advance/retract member) 364 which can be coupled with the drivetransmission member 81 can advance/retract in the axial direction of thephotosensitive drum. That is, as shown in FIG. 20 , the coupling member364 can move between the position retracted toward the inside of thephotosensitive drum 62 and the position advanced toward the outside ofthe photosensitive drum 62. In this embodiment, the coupling member 364moves linearly in parallel with the axis of the photosensitive drum, butit is not always necessary. If the moving direction of the couplingmember 364 has a component in the axial direction, the coupling member364 can be considered as moving in the axial direction.

The coupling member 364 and the photosensitive drum 62 are portions ofthe drum unit.

The coupling member 364 has a cylindrical portion 364 g in addition to aprojection as a driven transmission portion (input coupling portion) 364a, and has an inclined surface (inclined portion) 364 g 1 in theneighborhood of the free end of the cylindrical portion 364 g (See part(a) of FIG. 17 ). When the coupling member 364 advances and retracts,the inclined portion 364 g 1 moves in the axial direction (directions ofarrows z1 and z2 in part (a) of FIG. 17 together with the driventransmission portion 364 a. That is, the inclined portion 364 g 1 andthe driven transmission portion 364 a move integrally.

Therefore, when the coupling member 364 moves from the retractedposition to the advanced position, the inclined portion 364 g 1 advancestoward the outside of the photosensitive drum together with the driventransmission portion 364 a, that is, in the direction approaching thedrive transmission member 81. With this movement, the inclined portion364 g 1 comes into contact with the drive transmission member 81 toreduce the inclination angle of the drive transmission member (see part(c) of FIG. 20 , part (d) of FIG. 20 , part (e) of FIG. 20 and part (f)of FIG. 20 ). Therefore, the recess 81 e of the drive transmissionmember 81 can be reliably engaged with the driven transmission portion364 a of the coupling member 364.

In this embodiment, the inclined portion 364 g 1 for reducing theinclination angle of the drive transmission member 81 is arranged in acircumferential shape so as to surround the entire circumference of thedriven transmission portion 364 a (see part (a) of FIG. 17 . That is,the coupling member 364 has a cylindrical portion 364 g which surroundsthe driven transmission portion (drive input portion, drive forcereceiving portion), and has an inclined portion 364 g 1 in theneighborhood of the free end of the cylindrical portion 364 g.Therefore, regardless of the phase of the coupling member 364, theinclined portion 364 g 1 certainly comes into contact with the drivetransmission member 81.

However, the structure is not limited to such a structure, and astructure in which the inclined portion 364 g 1 is arranged only in aspecific portion can be considered. For example, if the coupling member364 is held so as to have a predetermined phase when the coupling member364 is stopped, the inclined portion 364 g 1 can be placed at a specificposition where it can come into contact with the drive transmissionmember 81.

Further, in this embodiment, the inclined portion 364 g 1 is placed at aposition overlapping with the driven transmission portion 364 a in theaxial direction. That is, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 16 , when theinclined portion 364 g 1 and the driven transmission portion 364 a areprojected on a straight line parallel to the axis Q2, the projectionarea U1 of the inclined portion 364 g 1 and the projected area U2 of thedriven transmission portion 364 a overlap each other at least partially.However, similarly to the Embodiment 1, the inclined portion 364 a 1 ofthis embodiment may be placed outside the driven transmission portion364 a in the axial direction (the arrow z1 side shown in part (a) ofFIG. 16 . That is, the inclined portion 364 g 1 may be placed at aposition more remote from the end portion 62 z 2 on the non-driven sideof the photosensitive drum 62 than the driven transmission portion 364a.

The cartridge B further includes the lever member as an operating memberfor moving the coupling member 364. The end of the lever member 12projects rearwardly of the cartridge (FIG. 21 ). In the rear side of thecartridge B, the lever member 12 moves toward the front of the cartridgeby receiving an external force. With this movement, the coupling member364 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position.

The structure of this embodiment is summarized below.

The image forming apparatus main assembly A includes a tiltable drivetransmission member (drive output member) 81 capable of outputting adriving force (see FIGS. 3 and 4 ).

On the other hand, the cartridge has a photosensitive drum 62 and acoupling member 364 (see FIGS. 3 and 18 ).

The coupling member 364 is a drive input member disposed near thedrive-side end (first end) of the photosensitive drum and is connectedto the photosensitive drum so that the driving force can be transmittedtoward the photosensitive drum. In addition, the coupling member 364 isa movable member which can move in the axial direction of thephotosensitive drum (see FIG. 19 ).

The coupling member 364 includes the driven drive transmission member(driving force receiving portion, engaging member) 364 e engaged withthe recess (output coupling portion) 81 e (FIG. 4 ) provided at the freeend of the drive transmission member 81 to receive the driving force(part (a) of FIG. 17 ). The coupling member 364 is an engaging memberwhich can engage with the drive transmission member 81.

The driven transmission portion 364 e is a projection having a shapecorresponding to the recess 81 e (part (a) of FIG. 17 ). The driventransmission portion 364 e is extended along the axes Q2 of the couplingmember and the photosensitive drum 62. That is, the driven transmissionportion 364 e is placed on the axis Q2.

In addition, the coupling member 364 has the inclined portion 364 g 1.The inclined portion 364 g 1 is a member which can be integrally movedwith the driven transmission portion 364 e. That is, when the couplingmember 364 moves in the axial directions Z1 and Z2, the driventransmission portion 364 e and the inclined portion 364 e move togetherin the axial directions Z1 and Z2 (see FIG. 19 ). Similarly, when thecoupling member 364 is rotationally driven, the inclined portion 364 g 1and the driven transmission portion 364 e rotate together.

In this embodiment, the inclined portion 364 g 1 is placed at the edgeof the cylindrical portion 364 g.

The inclined portion 364 e is located more remote from the axis of thecoupling member 364 than the driven transmission portion 364 e (FIG. 16and part (a) of FIG. 17 ).

When the coupling member 364 moves toward the drive transmission member81, the inclined portion 364 g 1 reduces the inclination angle of thedrive transmission member 81 by contacting the drive transmission member81. By this, the driven transmission portion 364 e can enter the insideof the recess 81 e of the drive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 20 ).That is, the coupling member 364 of the cartridge becomes connectablewith the drive transmission member 81.

In order to change the inclination angle of the drive transmissionmember 81, the inclined portion 364 g of the coupling member 364 is asfollows. When the distance measured from the axis of the photosensitivedrum to the inclined portion 364 g along the direction perpendicular tothe axis increases (becomes longer) as the distance from the non-drivingside increases. As shown in FIG. 16 , the left side of the inclinedportion 364 g 1 is located more remote with respect to the axis Q2 thanthe right side of the inclined portion 364 g 1. Here, the left side ofFIG. 16 is the drive side of the cartridge, and the right side is thenon-drive side of the cartridge.

That is, the inclined portion 364 g 1 is more away from the axis Q2 asit is away from the non-driving side end portion (second end portion) 62z 2 of the photosensitive drum 62 (see FIG. 16 ).

In this embodiment, the coupling member 364 can be considered as being apressing member (urging member) on the cartridge side which presses andurges the drive transmission member 81 by the inclined portion 364 g 1to reduce the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81.

The coupling member 364 performs two functions, namely a drive inputmember for receiving a driving force from the drive output member 81,and a pressing member which presses the drive output member 81. However,the coupling member 364 does not necessarily have to perform twofunctions, and, for example, a structure in which the coupling member364 serves only as the pressing member can be considered. In such acase, a drive input member may be additionally provided on thecartridge. That is, as described above referring to FIG. 15 and so on,it will suffice if the cartridge B has a gear member 187 which isengageable with the gear portion 81 f (see FIG. 4 ) provided on theouter peripheral surface of the drive output member 81. The method ofconnecting the gear member 187 with the photosensitive drum 62 so as tobe capable of drive-transmission is as described above referring to FIG.22 and so on.

In this embodiment, when the gear member 187 is provided on thecartridge, the gear member 187 does not need to be movable in thedirection perpendicular to the axis thereof. This is because theinclination angle of the drive output member 81 is reduced by contactingthe inclined portion 364 g 1, and it is sufficient to dispose the gearmember at a position where it can engage with the drive output member 81in the state thereof.

When the photosensitive drum 62 is rotated by the driving force receivedby the gear member 187, the driven transmission portion 364 e of thecoupling member 364 does not need to receive the driving force from thedrive transmission member 81. That is, it is also possible to omit thedriven transmission portion 364 e from the coupling member 364 as thepressing member. However, the drive transmission portion 364 e alsofunctions as an engagement portion for positioning the drivetransmission member 81 relative to the cartridge by engaging with therecess 81 e (see FIG. 4 ) of the drive transmission member 81.Therefore, it is preferable that the coupling member 364 as the pressingmember is provided with the driven transmission portion 364 e as theengaging portion. In order to structure the driven transmission portion364 e as a mere engaging portion which engages with the drivetransmission member 81 but does not receive the driving force, the shapeof the driven engagement portion 364 e may be changed. For example, ifthe shape of the driven transmission portion 364 e is changed to acylindrical projection, the driven transmission portion 364 e is a mereengaging portion which does not receive a driving force even whenengaged with the recess 81 e of the drive transmission member 81.

It is also conceivable that the cartridge has both the coupling member364 and the gear member 187 as the drive input member.

Embodiment 4

In this embodiment, the drive transmission member 481 and the couplingmember 464 are coupled by pushing down a pressing member (main assemblyside pressing member, main body side urging member) 412 which is amember for inclining the drive transmission member (drive output member)481.

Part (a) of FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the cartridge in thisembodiment. Part (b) of FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are enlarged views of theneighborhood of the coupling member 464 of FIG. 23 . Part (a) of FIG. 24shows a state in which the lever member 412 has most been moved in thedirection of arrow Y2. Part (b) of FIG. 24 shows the attitude when thelever member 412 is moved in the direction of arrow Y1 from this state,and part (c) of FIG. 24 shows the attitude when the lever member 412 isfurther moved in the direction of arrow Y1 from the state.

By the same structure as in FIG. 18 in the above-described embodiment,the movements of the lever member 412 and the coupling member 464 arelinked. That is, when the lever member 412 is moved in the direction ofarrow Y1, the coupling member 464 moves in the direction of arrow Z1,and when the lever member 412 is moved in the direction of arrow Y2, thecoupling member 464 moves in the direction of arrow Z2. A chamferedportion (inclined portion) 464 a is provided at the free end of thecoupling member 464.

Further, in this embodiment, the operations of the lever member 412 andthe push-down member (cartridge-side pressing member, cartridge-sideurging member) 402 are also interrelated. As shown in part (b) of FIG.23 , a side member 476 is provided with a circumferential slit 476 ahaving a center at the rotation axis Q2 of the drum, and the push-downmember 402 provided in the slit 476 a so as to be rotationally movablealong the slit 476 a. Further, the push-down member 402 is urged in thedirection of arrow G4 by a spring (not shown). On the other hand, thelever member 412 is provided with a guide portion 412 a, which is incontact with the first guided portion 402 a of the push-down member 402.

Here, the lever member 412 is moved in the direction of arrow Y1 in thestate shown in part (a) of FIG. 24 . The push-down member 402 is urgedin the direction of the arrow G4, and therefore, the first guidedportion 402 a receives the contact force F41. Since the first guidedportion 402 a is tapered, the contact force F41 has a component forceF41 a in the direction of arrow Z1. As a result, the push-down member402 is guided by the guide portion 412 a of the lever member 412 at thefirst guided portion 402 a, and moves in the direction of the arrow Z1.As a result, the state shown in part (b) of FIG. 24 is reached. At thistiming, the coupling member 464 is not moving from the position shown inpart (a) of FIG. 24 .

In addition, when the lever member 412 is moved in the direction of thearrow Y1, the second guided portion 402 b receives the contact forceF42. The second guided portion 402 b is not a tapered surface unlike thefirst guided portion 402 a, and therefore, the contact force F42 doesnot have a component force in the direction of arrow Z1. As a result,the guide portion 412 a of the lever member 412 guides the second guidedportion 402 b of the push-down member 402, so that the push-down member402 rotates along the slit 476 a in the direction of arrow C40 about therotation axis Q2 of the drum 62.

Simultaneously with or after the movement of the push-down member 402 inthe C40 direction, the coupling member 464 moves in the direction ofarrow Z1 by the same mechanism as in the above-described embodiment, andas a result, the state shown in Figure (c) is reached. In thisembodiment, the coupling member 464 and the push-down member 402 can becontrolled at any given timing, by guiding the coupling member 464 usingthe cam member 70 (see FIG. 18 ) and by guiding the push-down member 402using the lever member 412.

Next, the structure of the drive transmission member 481 according tothis embodiment will be described. FIG. 85 and part (a) of FIG. 25 areside views showing the appearance of the drive transmission portion ofthe apparatus main assembly A in this embodiment, and part (c) of FIG.25 is a cross-sectional view showing the support structure of the drivetransmission member 481 inside the cover member 401. As shown in FIG. 85, in this embodiment, the drive transmission member 481 is partiallycovered with the cover member 401. This is to protect the drivetransmission member 481 so that the user does not touch the drivetransmission member 481.

As shown in part (c) of FIG. 25 , as in the above-described embodiment,the pressing member 484 is urged in the direction of arrow E40 about therotation axis 484 a by an urging spring (not shown). Therefore, thedrive transmission member 481 is urged by the pressing member 484 by thecontact force F40 to be inclined in the direction of the arrow B40. Asshown in part (a) of FIG. 25 , in this embodiment, the drivetransmission member 481 is covered with a cover member 401. The covermember 401 has three cut-away portions, namely the cut-away portion 401a, cut-away portions 401 b, and cut-away portions 401 c. This is touncover a portion of the drive transmission member 481 through the covermember 401. That is, in the drive transmission member 481, the portionnecessary for performing the function is uncovered through the covermember 401.

Next, the engagement operation between the drive transmission member 481and the coupling member 464 will be described. FIG. 25 shows a stateimmediately after the cartridge B is mounted on the apparatus mainassembly A. For simplicity, FIG. 25(a) and part (c) of FIG. 25 show onlythe push-down member 412 for the cartridge B. Further, part (b) of FIG.25 shows only the push-down member 402 and the pressing member 484. Inthis state, as described above, the drive transmission member 481 isinclined in the direction of the arrow B40, and therefore, the recessdrive transmission portion 481 e provided at the free end is off-set bythe amount of misalignment W41 with respect to the axis Q2 of the drum62.

In this embodiment, as described in the above-described embodiment, theopening/closing door 13 is equipped with a mechanism for pressing thelever member 412. In FIG. 21 , the lever member 12 pressed by thepressing member 1 of the opening/closing door 13 corresponds to thelever member 412 in this embodiment. When the opening/closing door 13 isoperated to move the lever member 412 of the cartridge B in thedirection of arrow Y1 as described referring to FIG. 24 , the push-downmember moves in the direction of arrow Z1. Then, as shown in part (b) ofFIG. 25 , when the push-down member 402 moves in the direction of arrowZ1, the free end portion 402 c comes into contact with the end portion484 b of the pressing member 484. Since the free end portion 402 c ofthe push-down member 402 is tapered, the pressing member 484 rotatesabout the axis 484 a in the direction of arrow E41 shown in part (c) ofFIG. 25 to reach the state shown in part (b) of FIG. 26 . As a result,as shown in part (a) of FIG. 26 , the drive transmission member 481 istilted in the direction of arrow B41 with the misalignment amount W42.

When the opening/closing door 13 is further closed from here, the levermember 412 further moves in the direction of arrow Y1 (see FIG. 24 ),and the push-down member rotates around the axis Q2 of the drum in thedirection of arrow C40. Therefore, the pressing member 484 furtherrotates in the direction of arrow E41 to reach the state shown in part(b) of FIG. 27 . As a result, the drive transmission member 481 istilted in the direction of arrow B42 with the misalignment amount W43 asshown in FIG. 27 . Here, at the same time, the coupling member moves inthe Z1 direction (see FIG. 24 ) and comes into contact with a chamferedportion 464 a as shown in part (a) of FIG. 28 . When the coupling member464 further moves in the direction of arrow Z1 from here, the couplingmember 464 is inserted into the drive transmission portion (outputcoupling portion, recess) 481 e of the drive transmission member 481 asshown in part (b) of FIG. 28 , and is engaged therewith.

In this embodiment, the push-down member 402 performs a combination of astraight motion as a first motion and a rotary motion as a secondmotion, but these motions are not limited to the structures described inthis embodiment, and can be combined arbitrarily. In addition, it is notalways necessary to perform both straight motion and rotary motion. Itwill suffice if down the pressing member 484 is pushed down (rotated inthe direction of arrow E41). For example, as shown in FIG. 29 , byenlarging the taper shape 402 c, the pressing member 484 can be pusheddown only by the advancing/retracting movement in the Z1 direction.

For example, by employing the structure shown in FIG. 30 , the operatingmember 404 can be moved forward (moved in the Z41 direction), lifted(moved in the X41 direction), and lowered (in the X42 direction)relative to the guide rail 403 which is a fixed member. In this example,a slit portion 404 a of the operating member 404 is guided by a railportion 403 of the guide rail 403. In addition, a guided boss 404 b ofthe operating member is guided by a cam groove 405 a of the slide guide405. Further, a bottom portion 404 c of the operating member 404 isguided by a top surface 405 b of the slide guide 405. By properlycombining these mechanisms, the push-down member 402 can be made toperform crank-like movements such as forward, upward, forward, anddownward as shown in FIG. 31 . By this, the pressing member 484 can bepushed down while avoiding the cover member 401, without providing thetapered shape at the free end. Hereinafter, an example of a cartridgecapable of pushing down the pressing member 484 only by a straightoperation using the structure as shown in FIG. 30 will be shown. Part(a) of FIG. 86 is a perspective view of a cartridge having thismechanism, and part (b) of FIG. 86 is an enlarged view of theneighborhood of the coupling member 464. As shown in part (b) of FIG. 86, the side member 476 is provided with a holding hole 476 b, in whichthe push-down member 414 is supported so as to be movable in the arrowX41 direction, the arrow X42 direction, the arrow Z1 direction, and thearrow Z2 direction. In addition, the push-down member 414 is urged inthe direction of arrow Z2 by a spring (not shown). On the other hand,the lever member 413 is mounted on the cartridge B so as to be slidablein the direction of arrow Y1 and the direction of arrow Y2. The levermember 413 is provided with a guide rib 413 a which is a cam for movingthe push down member 414 in the arrow Z1 direction and the arrow Z2direction, and a guide slit 413 b which is a cam for moving thepush-down member 414 in the arrow X41 direction and the arrow X42direction. Next, referring to FIGS. 87 and 88 , a behavior in which thepush-down member 414 operates to push the pressing member 484 down willbe described. Part (a) of FIG. 87 to part (e) of FIG. 87 show themovement of the push-down member 414 when the lever member 413 isgradually slid in the direction of the arrow Y1 in chronological order.Part (a) of FIG. 88 to part (e) of FIG. 88 are sectional viewscorresponding to part (a) of FIG. 87 to part (e) of FIG. 87 ,respectively. When the lever member 413 is slid in the direction ofarrow Y1 from the states shown in part (a) of FIG. 87 and part (a) ofFIG. 88 , the push-down member 414 is guided by the guide rib 413 a andmoves in the direction of arrow Z1 and passes under the cover member 401to reach the state of part (b) of FIG. 87 and part (b) of FIG. 88 . Whenthe lever member 413 is further slid in the direction of arrow Y1 fromthis state, the push-down member 414 is guided by the guide slit 413 band moves in the direction of arrow X41 to reach the states shown inpart (c) of FIG. 87 and part (c) of FIG. 88 . When the lever member 413is slid further in the direction of the arrow Y1, the push-down member414 is guided by the guide rib 413 a, moves in the direction of thearrow Z1 and rides on the pressing member 484 to reach the state of part(d) of FIG. 87 and part (d) of FIG. 88 . When the lever member 413 isslid further in the direction of the arrow Y1, the push-down member 414is guided by the guide slit 413 b and moves in the direction of thearrow X42, and the pressing member is pushed down to reach the state ofpart (e) of FIG. 87 and part (e) of FIG. 88 .

Finally, this embodiment is summarized as follows.

The main assembly of the image forming apparatus includes a drivetransmission member (drive output member) 481 structured to output adriving force and a pressing member (urging member, main assembly sidepressing member) 484 for tilting the drive transmission member by urgingthe drive transmission member (part (a) of FIG. 25 ).

The cartridge B includes a photosensitive drum 62 and a push-down member(urging member) 402 which is a cartridge side pressing member structuredto press the apparatus main assembly side pressing member (see part (a)of FIG. 2 and FIG. 23 ). The photosensitive drum 62 is placed in thefront part of the cartridge, and a part thereof is uncovered. The frontside of the cartridge B is the left side in part (a) of FIG. 2 and theright side in part (a) of FIG. 23 .

The push-down member 402 is placed in front of the cartridge togetherwith the photosensitive drum 62 (see part (a) of FIG. 23 ). Further, itis placed on the drive side of the cartridge in the axial direction ofthe photosensitive drum 62. The drive side of the cartridge is thedownstream side in the direction indicated by the arrow Z1 in FIG. 23 ,and is the side on which the coupling member 464 is placed on thecartridge. That is, the coupling member 464 and the push-down member 402are arranged on the same side.

The push-down member 402 on the cartridge side is structured to changethe inclination angle of the drive transmission member by pressing andurging the pressing member 484 on the apparatus main assembly side (seepart (a) of FIG. 27 and part (b) of FIG. 28 ).

That is, when the push-down member 402 acts on the pressing member 484on the device main body side, the inclination angle of the drivetransmission member 481 relative to the photosensitive drum 62 becomessmaller (see part (b) of FIG. 28 .

By reducing the inclination angle, the drive transmission member 481 canbe connected to the cartridge. In this embodiment, the coupling member(engagement member) 464 is provided adjacent to the end of thephotosensitive drum (see FIG. 23 ). By the coupling member 464 advancingtoward the drive transmission member 481 in the axial direction of thecartridge, it engages and connects with the recess (output couplingportion) 481 e provided at the free end of the drive transmission member(see part (b) of FIG. 28 ). By this, the drive transmission member andthe cartridge are connected so that the drive can be transmitted.

More specifically, the coupling member 464 moves in the axial directionfrom the retracted position (part (a) of FIG. 28 ) in which it isretracted toward the inside of the photosensitive drum to the advancedposition (part (a) of FIG. 28 ) in which it is advanced toward theoutside of the photosensitive drum. The coupling member 464 does notnecessarily have to move parallel to the axis of the photosensitivedrum, nor does it have to move linearly. If the direction of themovement of the coupling member 464 has an axial component, it canengage with the drive transmission member 481.

The means for connecting the drive transmission member 481 and thecartridge 60 to enable the drive transmission is not limited to thecoupling member 464 which is movable forward and backward. For example,it is conceivable that in place of the coupling member 464, a gearmember 187 is connected to the developing roller, and the gear member187 is connected to a drive transmission member 481 the inclinationangle of which is reduced by the push-down member 402, as shown in FIG.15 . That is, by providing the cartridge with a gear member which iscapable of meshing engagement with the gear portion provided on theouter peripheral portion of the drive transmission member 481, the drivetransmission member and the cartridge B are connected so as to becapable of the drive transmission. The driving force received by thegear member 187 may be transmitted to the photosensitive drum 62 by wayof another gear 39, 63 (see FIG. 22 ) provided inside the cartridge. Insuch a case, the gear member of the cartridge is the drive input member.In addition, in this case, the gear member 187 (FIG. 15 ) does not needto be movable in the direction crossing the axis thereof. This isbecause it will suffice if the gear member 187 is placed at a positionwhere it can engage with the drive transmission member 481 having areduced inclination angle.

If the cartridge includes a gear member as a drive input member, thecoupling member 464 does not have to receive a driving force from thedrive transmission member. The coupling member 464 may be made a mereengaging member that only engages with the drive transmission member 481so that the engaging member does not transmit the driving force to thephotosensitive drum 62. Or, the coupling member 464 may be omitted fromthe cartridge. However, it is preferable that there is provided anengaging member which can engage with the drive transmission member 481adjacent to the end of the photosensitive drum 62 because the positionof the drive transmission member can be determined by the engagingmember.

Further, the cartridge may have two drive input members, namely a gearmember and a coupling member.

In this embodiment, the push-down member 402 operates when the levermember (operation member) 412 (part (a) of FIG. 23 ) receives anexternal force from the outside of the cartridge. That is, the levermember 412 projects from the frame (casing) of the cartridge at the rearside of the cartridge (left side in FIG. 23 ). Therefore, the levermember 412 can receive the external force by contact with the pressingmember 1 provided on the door 13 of the apparatus main assembly,similarly to the lever member 12 shown in part (b) of FIG. 21 y theexternal force, the end of the lever member 412 moves toward the frontof the cartridge. As the lever member 412 moves, the push-down member402 operates.

Further, the lever member (operating member) 412 is an operating memberfor not only operating the push-down member 412 but also operating thecoupling member 464.

The lever member 412 is structured to start the operation of thepush-down member 402 before the operation of the coupling member 464. Itis possible that the coupling member 464 is connected to the drivetransmission member 481 after the inclination angle of the drivetransmission member 481 is reduced by the push-down member 402.

In this embodiment, the push-down member 402 and the coupling member 464are operated by one lever member 412, but a lever member (operationmember) may be provided for each of the push-down member 412 and thecoupling member 464. For example, in an embodiment which will bedescribed hereinafter with FIG. 63 , a cartridge includes two operatingmembers (lever members) 905 and 812. In this manner, the two operatingmembers can be employed.

It is desirable that the push-down member 402 performs a plurality ofoperations including the following operations so as to be capable ofpressing the pressing member of the apparatus main assembly.

It is desirable that the push-down member 402 performs the firstoperation of moving in the axial direction Z1 of the photosensitive drum62 (see part (a) of FIG. 25 to approach the pressing member. At thistime, the push-down member does not necessarily have to move in parallelwith the axial direction, and does not have to move rectilinearly. Itwill suffice if the direction in which the push-down member moves in thefirst operation includes a component in the axial direction.

It is desirable that after this first operation, the push-down member402 performs a second operation of moving in a direction different fromthe direction Z1 of the first operation (Figure (a)). Part (b) of FIG.26 shows an example in which the push-down member moves in the C40direction crossing the axial direction. By combining a plurality ofoperations, the push-down member 402 can easily perform the appropriatemovement of the pressing member 484 of the apparatus main assembly side.

The push-down member 402, the lever member 412, and the like shown inthis embodiment may be separated from the cartridge to provide anattachment which can be mounted to the image forming apparatus mainassembly separately from the cartridge. An example of such an attachmentwill be described in Embodiment 5 below.

Embodiment 5

Next, embodiment 4 will be descried in which the pressing member 484 ispushed down using a removable attachment for the device main assembly A.

The attachment is a unit which can be mounted separately from thecartridge B. In this embodiment, the attachment is a member for actingon the drive transmission member provided in the apparatus main assemblyA, and is mountable to the apparatus main assembly A by the user.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the attachment member 502 according tothis embodiment. The attachment member 502 has a push-down surface 502a, and is provided with a damper gear 587 rotatably mounted to theattachment member 502. As in the Embodiment 1, the damper gear 587 has apredetermined rotational resistance. FIG. 89 is a perspective view ofthe cartridge B in this embodiment. A projecting portion is provided inthe neighborhood of the coupling member 464 of the cover member 576.

FIG. 33 shows a state in which the opening/closing door 13 of theapparatus main assembly A is opened, and the attachment member 502 ismounted to the cut-away portion 401 a of the cover member 401. Similarlyto part (b) of FIG. 27 in the Embodiment 4, the push-down surface 502 aof the attachment member 502 pushes down the pressing member 484. Inthis state, since the opening/closing door 13 is open, the drivetransmission member 481 maintains the state of being inclined in thedirection of the arrow B40 irrespective of the attitude of the pressingmember, as described above in the Embodiment 1. Here, when the cartridgeB is inserted into the apparatus main assembly A and the opening/closingdoor 13 is closed, the inclination of the drive transmission member 481is released as shown in FIG. 34 , and the gear portion 481 f is broughtinto meshing engagement with the gear portion 587 a of the damper gear587. In addition, the projecting portion 504 provided on the cartridge Bis placed inside the cut-away portion 401 c of the cover member 401.

Here, when the drive is applied and the drive transmission member 481rotates in the arrow R direction, the drive transmission member 481 isbrought into contact with the projection by the meshing force F50between the gear portions in the direction perpendicular to the axialdirection of the photosensitive drum, so that the attitude becomessubstantially perpendicular to the rotation axis Q2 of the drum. Thatis, the projecting portion 504 is the inclined portion (contact portion)which is inclined so as to reduce the inclination angle of the drivetransmission member 481 when it comes into contact with the drivetransmission member 481, as in the case of the inclined rib 86 (see FIG.84 ) in Embodiment 1.

Simultaneously with the reduction of the inclination angle of the drivetransmission member 481, the drive transmission member moves in thelongitudinal direction, that is, in the frontward direction of the sheetof the drawing of FIG. 34 by a meshing thrust force between the gears(F3 in FIG. 9 ) as described in the Embodiment 1. As a result, the drivetransmission portion 481 e of the drive transmission member 481 and thecoupling member 464 are brought into engagement with each other.

In this embodiment, in order to make the drive transmission member 481substantially coaxial with the axis Q2 of the drum, the projectingportion (inclined portion) 504 is placed in the cut-away portion 401 cof the cover member 401, but it is not inevitable. For example, asdescribed in the Embodiment 4, it will suffice if the chamfered portion464 a (part (a) of FIG. 28 is provided at the free end of the couplingmember 464.

In this embodiment, the damper gear 587 is provided on the attachmentmember 502 in order to attract the drive transmission member 481 to thecoupling member 464 in the longitudinal direction, but it is notinevitable. As shown in the Embodiment 1, it may be provided on thecartridge B. In addition, it may be provided the position of thecut-away portion 401 c instead of the cut-away portion 401 a of thecover member 401. In such a case as well, the cartridge B may beprovided with the damper gear 587, or the damper gear 587 may beprovided on another attachment other than the attachment member 502.

In the case that the damper gear 587 is provided on the cartridge B, thedrive transmission member does not necessarily have to be engaged withthe coupling member 464. It is also possible to drive the cartridge B byusing the driving force received by the damper gear 587 as it is.Alternatively, the damper gear may not be provided, and the cartridgemay be provided with the lever member 412 to advance and retract thecoupling member 464 as in the above-described embodiment.

In this embodiment, the push-down surface 502 a of the attachment is aportion corresponding to the pressing member 402 (see FIGS. 23 and 24 )of the cartridge of embodiment 4. The push-down surface 502 a is acontact portion structured to come into contact with the pressing member484 to move the pressing member 484. The push-down surface 502 a movesthe pressing member 484 away from the drive transmission member 481 andfixes it at that position. By this, the drive transmission member 481becomes not pressed by the pressing member 484, or the pressing force isreduced, so that the inclination angle of the drive transmission member481 is reduced. As a result, the drive transmission member 481 becomesconnectable with the cartridge to transmit the drive. In thisembodiment, the push-down surface 502 a is an immovable portion in theattachment, but if the pressing member 484 can be moved in contact withthe pressing member 484, the push-down surface 502 a can be mademovable.

In addition, the push-down surface 502 a may be structured to move ininterrelation with the opening and closing of the door 13 of theapparatus main assembly A in the same manner as the push-down member ofEmbodiment 4. In such a case, the push-down surface 502 a may be changedto the push-down member of the Embodiment 4, and the lever member 412and the slit 476 a described in Embodiment 4 may also be provided on theattachment. That is, the side member (part (b) of FIG. 23 ) described inthe Embodiment 4 and each member supported by the side member 476 (part(b) of FIG. 23 ) are separated from the other portions of the cartridge,and they are formed into an attachment.

The reason for changing the inclination of the drive transmission memberby using the attachment as in this embodiment is considered as follows,for example. As described above, depending on the structure of thecartridge, it may be easier to mounted and/or dismount the cartridge byinclining the drive transmission member when mounting and/or dismountingthe cartridge. In view of this, the image forming apparatus mainassembly employs a structure in which the drive transmission member isintentionally tilted. Then, in each of the above-described embodiments,the inclination of the drive transmission member is reduced as thecartridge is being mounted.

However, In the case that cartridges having different structures can beselectively mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, it may beunnecessary to incline the drive transmission member at the time ofmounting/dismounting the cartridge depending on the type of cartridge.Therefore, when only a cartridge which does not particularly require theinclination of the drive transmission member is used, it may bedesirable to cease the inclination of the drive transmission member orreduce the inclination angle. In such a case, the user can change theinclination angle of the drive transmission member by mounting theattachment as in this embodiment to the image forming apparatus mainassembly. The user may mount the cartridge to the apparatus mainassembly after mounting the attachment to the apparatus main assembly.

It is preferable that the attachment is removable from the apparatusmain assembly A. That is, when the drive transmission member needs to betilted again, by removing the attachment by the user, the drivetransmission member becomes tiltable as before.

The attachment shown in FIG. 32 and the cartridge shown in FIG. 89 areboth mounting units which can be mounted to the main assembly of theapparatus. A combination including an attachment and a cartridge will bereferred to as a mounting kit (mounting unit kits). The mounting kit isa kit including a plurality of units which can be mounted to the imageforming apparatus main assembly.

Embodiment 6

Next, another embodiment in which the coupling is engaged with theapparatus main assembly A by using a removable attachment will bedescribed. In the above-described Embodiment 5, the attachment whichacts on the pressing member on the main assembly side which presses thedrive transmission member has been described, but in this embodiment,the attachment which directly acts on the drive transmission member willbe described.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of an attachment member 602 in thisembodiment. As shown in part (a) of FIG. 35 , the attachment member 602is provided with a movable arm 603 which is rotatable about the axis 602a, and a free end thereof is provided with a damper gear 687. Similarlyto the above-described embodiment, the damper gear 687 has apredetermined rotational resistance. An urging spring 604, which is atorsion coil spring, is mounted in alignment with the axis 602 a, andthe movable arm 603 is urged in the direction of arrow A60. As shown inpart (c) of FIG. 35 , the attitude of the movable arm 603 is determinedby abutting the abutting portion 602 b of the attachment member 602. Asshown in part (b) of FIG. 35 , the movable arm 603, is rotatable in thedirection of arrow A61 against the urging force of the urging spring604, together with the damper gear 687 provided at the free end.

That is, the damper gear 687 is movably supported by the movable arm 606in the attachment, and the position of the axis of the damper gear 687is structured to be movable. FIG. 90 is a perspective view of thecartridge B in this embodiment. A projecting portion 605 is provided inthe neighborhood of the coupling member 464 of the cover member 676.

FIG. 36 shows a state in which the opening/closing door 13 is opened andthe attachment member 602 is mounted to the apparatus main assembly A.As described above, in the state that the opening/closing door 13 isopen, the drive transmission member 481 maintains a state of beinginclined in the direction of arrow B40. Therefore, when the attachmentmember 602 is mounted, the damper gear 687 contacts the gear portion 481f of the drive transmission member 481, and the movable arm of theattachment member 602 is in a state that it has rotated in the directionof the arrow A61. On the other hand, the drive transmission member 481receives the contact force F60 from the damper gear 687 by the urgingforce of the urging spring 604. The urging spring is selected so thatthe contact force F60 is sufficiently larger than the contact force F61received by the drive transmission member by the pressing member 484.

Here, the cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main assembly A,and then the opening/closing door 13 is closed. In FIG. 36 , the contactforce F60 received by the drive transmission member 481 from the dampergear 687 is larger than the contact force F61 received from the pressingmember 484, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 37 , the movable arm 603rotates in the direction of arrow A60 until it abuts the abuttingportion 602 b. As a result, the tilting of the drive transmission member481 is released. That is, by the damper gear 687 pressing and urging thedrive transmission member 481, the inclination angle of the drivetransmission member 481 decreases. In this embodiment, the damper gear687 is a pressing member (biasing member) which changes the inclinationangle of the drive transmission member by applying a force to the drivetransmission member 481. More specifically, the damper gear 687 reducesthe inclination angle of the drive transmission member 481 relative tothe photosensitive drum of the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted.

In addition, the projecting portion (inclined portion) 605 provided onthe cartridge B is placed inside the cut-away portion 401 a of the covermember 401.

When the drive is applied and the drive transmission member 481 rotatesin the direction of the arrow R, the drive transmission member 481 comesinto contact with the projection due to the meshing force F62 betweenthe gear portions in the direction perpendicular to the axial directionof the photosensitive drum, with the result that the attitude becomessubstantially perpendicular to the rotation axis Q2 of the drum. At thesame time, as described in the Embodiment 1, the drive transmissionmember moves in the longitudinal direction, that is, in the frontdirection of the paper surface in FIG. 37 , due to the meshing thrustforce between the gears (F3 in FIG. 9 ). As a result, the drivetransmission portion 481 e of the drive transmission member 481 and thecoupling member 464 are engaged with each other.

In this embodiment as well, the projecting portion 605 is provided inthe cut-away portion 401 a of the cover member 401 in order to make thedrive transmission member 481 substantially coaxial with the axis Q2 ofthe drum, but it is not always necessary. For example, a chamferedportion 464 a (part (a) of FIG. 28 may be provided at the free end ofthe coupling member 464, as described in the Embodiment 4.

Further, in this embodiment, the damper gear 687 is provided on theattachment member 602 in order to attract the drive transmission member481 to the coupling member 464 in the longitudinal direction, but it isnot inevitable. As shown in FIG. 38 , the acting portion 606 a of themovable arm 606 may be directly contacted with the drive transmissionmember 481. In this case, the movable arm 606 functions as a pressingmember which presses the drive transmission member 481.

As a result, the drive transmission member 481 and the coupling member464 can be engaged with each other by providing the damper gear 687 atanother location as described in the above-described embodiment or bymoving the coupling member 464 forwardly and backwardly.

For example, the cartridge B shown in FIG. 91 includes a damper gear 687and a projecting portion (inclined portion) 605 in the neighborhood ofthe coupling member 464. Here, the damper gear 687 and the projectingportion 505 are provided at such positions that become the same as thedamper gear 587 and the projecting portion 504, respectively shown inFIG. 34 in the above-described embodiment at the time when the cartridgeB is mounted on the apparatus main assembly A. Therefore, as in theabove-described embodiment (see FIG. 34 ), the drive transmission member481 is contacted with the projecting portion 605 by the meshing forceF50, and becomes in an attitude substantially coaxial with the rotationaxis Q2 of the drum.

At the same time, as described in the Embodiment 1, the drivetransmission member moves in the longitudinal direction, that is, in thefrontwardly of the drawing surface in FIG. 34 due to the meshing thrustforce between the gears (F3 in FIG. 9 ). Therefore, the drivetransmission member 481 and the coupling member 464 can be engaged witheach other. In FIG. 38 , the acting portion 606 a of the movable arm 606is brought into contact with the gear portion 481 f of the drivetransmission member 481, but the same effect can be provided bycontacting the acting portion 606 a with the cylindrical portion 481 g.

As described above, in this embodiment, the user of the image formingapparatus mounts the attachment member to the apparatus main assembly Ain advance, and then mounts the cartridge B to the apparatus mainassembly A. By this, the attachment can assist the connection betweenthe drive transmission member and the cartridge.

That is, by the attachment, the inclination angle of the drivetransmission member 481 is changed, or by the attachment, the drivetransmission member 481 is made closer to the cartridge. By this, thedrive transmission member 481 can be connected to the coupling member orgear member provided on the cartridge to perform drive transmission.

As shown in this embodiment, the attachment, instead of the cartridge,may have a structure to be used to connect the drive transmission memberto the cartridge.

Embodiment 7

Embodiment 7 will be described. In this embodiment as well, the samepoints as in the above-described embodiment will be omitted. Among theelements disclosed in this embodiment, those corresponding to themembers described in the above-described embodiment are given the samenames as the members in the above-mentioned embodiment, and only thepoints which are different from those in the above-mentioned embodimentwill be described.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a process cartridge B of thisembodiment. As shown in the Figure, a side member 801 is provided on thedrive side of the cleaning unit 60, and the side member 801 is providedwith a drive-side first positioning projection 801 a and a drive-sidesecond positioning projection 801 b. In addition, a lever member 812 asan operating member is provided. A coupling member 864 as anadvancement/retraction member (movable member) is provided at the end ofthe drum 62, and an end of the coupling member 864 is provided with aprojection (driven transmission portion 864 a) which enters the recessof the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A toreceive the drive.

On the other hand, a second lever member 825 as a movable member isprovided on the non-driving side.

FIG. 40 is a sectional view illustrating the structure of the drivetransmission portion of the drum 62. As shown in the Figure, a driveside flange member 75, a coupling member 864, and a first pressingmember 59 are provided at the drive side end portion. With thisstructure, the coupling member 864 can move in the direction opposite tothe arrow H80 direction in the drawing while being pressed in thedirection of the arrow H80 in the Figure (See also FIGS. 16 and 17 ).

Referring to FIGS. 41 to 43 , the advancing/retracting structure of thecoupling member 864 will be described. FIGS. 41 to 43 are perspectiveviews around the side member 801. In the Figure, some parts are omittedfor better illustration.

As shown in the Figure, a lever member (operating member) 812 isassembled to the rail portion 801 k of the side member 801. A coilportion 820 c of a first urging member 820 is inserted into a fixingprojection 801 c of the side member 801, and a first urging end 820 athereof is in contact with an urged projection 812 b of the lever member812. A second urging end 820 b of the first urging member 820 is incontact with a wall surface 801 m of the side member 801. With thisstructure, the side member 801 is supported so as to be movable in thedirection of arrow H81 and the opposite direction while, being urged inthe direction of arrow H81 in FIG. 43 .

The inner peripheral surface 70 k of the cam member 70 is slidablyfitted around the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 801 d of the sidemember 801. The lever member engaging portion 70 a of the cam member 70is engaged with the engaging hole 812 c of the lever member 812 and withis in the guide hole 801 f of the side member 801. With this structure,the cam member 70 is rotatable and movable relative to the cylindricalouter peripheral surface 801 d in accordance with the movement of thelever member 812.

A sliding cylindrical portion 864 b of the coupling member 864 isslidably inserted into the sliding portion 801 g of the side member 801.

Referring to FIGS. 43 and 44 , The operation of the cam member 70 willbe described. The side member 801 is provided with a projection 801 e(see FIG. 41 ). In addition, the cam member 70 has first surfaces 70 e(three locations) on the outer side in the longitudinal direction,second surfaces 70 d (three locations) which are parallel to the firstsurface 70 e and which are recessed inward in the longitudinal directionfrom the first surface 70 e, and inclined surfaces 70 b (threelocations) which smoothly connect the first surfaces 70 e and the secondsurfaces 70 d with each other (see FIG. 42 ).

FIG. 43 shows a normal state (free state) in which no external force isapplied to the lever member 812. The lever member 812 has been moved inthe direction of arrow H81 in the Figure by the force of the firsturging member 820. At this time, the cam member 70 is in the phase shownin the Figure. Since the coupling member 864 is urged in the directionof arrow H87 in the drawing (see FIG. 40 ), the first surface 70 e ofthe cam member 70 contacts the projection 801 e of the side member 801while receiving the urging force in the direction of arrow H87.

FIG. 44 shows the state after the lever member 812 is pushed. As shownin the Figure, when a force is applied to the contact portion 812 a (seeFIG. 43 ) of the lever member 812 in the direction of arrow H82 in thedrawing, the lever member 812 moves in the direction of arrow H82 in thedrawing. In accordance with this operation, the cam member 70 rotates tochange the phase, so that the second surface 70 d comes into contactwith the projection 801 e of the side member 801. Therefore, the cammember moves in the direction of arrow H83 in the Figure relative to thefree state (state in FIG. 43 ). As a result, the coupling member 864projects toward the drive side (in the direction of arrow H83 in theFigure).

When the external force acting on the lever member 812 disappears, thelever member 812 moves in the direction of arrow H81 in FIG. 43 by theurging force of the first urging member 820. As a result, it returns tothe free state, and the coupling member 864 moves to the non-drivingside.

Referring to FIGS. 45 and 46 , the structure around the second levermember 825 will be described. FIGS. 45 and 46 are perspective viewsaround the second lever member 825. In the Figure, some parts areomitted for better illustration.

As shown in the Figure, the second lever member 825 is provided with acontact portion 825 a, a locking portion 825 b, and a projection 825 c.The cleaning frame 830 as the first frame which rotatably supports thedrum 62 is provided with a frame projection 830 c, a locking surface 830d, and a lever opening 830 e.

As shown in FIG. 46 , the second lever member 825 is mounted through thelever opening 830 e of the cleaning frame 830 in the direction of arrowH84 in the drawing. After mounting, as shown in FIG. 45 , the lockingportion 825 b of the second lever member contacts the locking surface830 d of the cleaning frame 830, so that the second lever member 825 isprevented from disengagement. A second pressing member is provided onbetween the projection 825 c of the second lever member 825 and theframe projection 830 c of the cleaning frame 830. By this, the secondlever member 825 is movably supported in the direction of arrow H88 andin the opposite direction thereto while being urged in the direction ofarrow H88 in FIG. 45 .

Referring to FIGS. 47 to 58 , the mounting of the cartridge B to theapparatus main assembly A will be described. FIGS. 47 to 58 areperspective views illustrating the apparatus main assembly A and themounting of the cartridge B. In the Figure, some parts are omitted forbetter illustration.

Referring to FIGS. 47 and 48 , the structure of mounting the cartridge Bto the apparatus main assembly A will be described. FIGS. 47 and 48 areperspective views in a state in which the opening/closing door 13 of theapparatus main assembly A is opened.

As shown in FIG. 47 , a drive-side side plate 850 is provided on thedrive side part of the apparatus main assembly A. The drive-side sideplate 850 is provided with a drive-side first guide portion 850 a and adrive-side second guide portion 850 b; a terminal end portion of thedrive-side first guide portion 850 a is provided with a drive-side firstpositioning portion 850 c; and a terminal end of the drive-side secondguide portion 850 b is provided with a drive-side second positioningportion 850 d On the other hand, on the non-driving side of thecartridge B, there are provided a non-driving side first positioningprojection 830 a and a non-driving side second positioning projection830 b.

As shown in FIG. 48 , a non-driving side plate 851 is provided on thenon-driving side of the apparatus main assembly A. The non-driving sideplate 851 is provided with a non-driving side first guide portion 851 aand a non-driving side second guide portion 851 b. A non-driving sidefirst positioning portion 851 c is provided at the terminal portion ofthe non-driving side first guide portion 851 a, and a non-driving sidesecond positioning portion 851 d is provided at the terminal portion ofthe non-driving side second guide portion 851 b. On the other hand, thedrive side of the cartridge B is provided with a drive-side firstpositioning projection 801 a and a drive-side second positioningprojection 801 b.

In order to mount the cartridge B on the apparatus main assembly A, thedrive-side first positioning projection 801 a and the drive-side secondpositioning projection 801 b of the cartridge B are mounted to thedrive-side first guide portion 850 a and the drive-side second guideportion 850 b of the apparatus main assembly A, respectively so as to bemoved along the guide portions. Similarly, the non-driving side firstpositioning projection 830 a and the non-driving side second positioningprojection 830 b of the cartridge B are mounted to the non-driving sidefirst guide portion 851 a and the non-driving side second guide portion851 b of the apparatus main assembly A, respectively so as to be movedalong the guide portions.

When the cartridge is mounted at a position for image formation (seeFIG. 57 ), the drive-side first positioning projection 801 a and thedrive-side second positioning projection 801 b of the cartridge B areplaced at the drive-side first positioning portion 850 c and thedrive-side second positioning portion 850 d of the apparatus mainassembly A, respectively. Similarly, the non-driving side firstpositioning projection 830 a and the non-driving side second positioningprojection 830 b of the cartridge B are placed at the non-driving sidefirst positioning portion 851 c and the non-driving side secondpositioning portion 851 d of the apparatus main assembly A,respectively.

FIG. 49 is a view around the drive transmission member 81 of theapparatus main assembly A to which the cartridge B has been mounted. Thepositioned contact portion 801 h of the cartridge B contacts thepositioning contact portion 850 e of the drive-side side plate 850, andthe positions of the apparatus main assembly A and the cartridge B aredetermined.

FIG. 50 shows a state of the non-driving side of the apparatus mainassembly A in which the cartridge B has been mounted. As shown in theFigure, the contact portion 825 a of the second lever member 825 of thecartridge B is in contact with the contacted portion 851 e of thenon-driving side plate 851. Therefore, the non-driving side firstpositioning projection 830 a and the non-driving side second positioningprojection 830 b of the cartridge B are not yet mounted up to thenon-driving side first positioning portion 851 c and the non-drivingside second positioning portion 851 d of the apparatus main assembly A,respectively.

FIG. 51 shows this state as viewed from the top of the apparatus mainassembly A. As shown in the Figure, the drive side of the cartridge Balmost reaches the inner side of the apparatus main assembly A. On theother hand, the non-driving side does not reach the inner side of theapparatus main assembly A. Therefore, the rotation axis of the drum 62of the cartridge B is mounted in a state of being tilted relative to therotation axis of the drum 62 which extends when the cartridge B ismounted on the apparatus main assembly A at the mounting position (seeFIG. 57 ) for image formation.

The state around the drive transmission member 81 at this time is shownin FIG. 52 . The broken line L80 in the Figure indicates the directionof the rotation axis of the drum 62 when the cartridge B is mounted inthe apparatus main assembly A at a position (see FIG. 57 ) for imageformation.

As shown in the Figure, the drive transmission member 81 is tilted, andtherefore, it is tilted by Θ81° with respect to the broken line L80 inthe Figure, and the free end surface 81 k thereof (see also FIG. 4 ) isshifted in the direction of arrow H89 in the Figure. On the other hand,the cartridge B is tilted by Θ82° relative to the broken line L80 in thedrawing, and the free end surface 864 c of the driven transmissionportion of the coupling member 864 is also shifted in the direction ofthe arrow H89 in the drawing (see FIG. 39 ).

FIG. 53 shows the behavior in which the opening/closing door 13 of theapparatus main assembly A is closed in this state. When theopening/closing door 13 is closed in the direction of arrow H86 in thedrawing, the drive side cartridge pressing member 1 provided on theopening/closing door is brought into contact with the contact portion812 a of the lever member 812. Further, when the opening/closing door 13is closed, the cartridge pressing member 1 on the drive side pushes thelever member 812. At this time, as described above, the coupling member864 of the cartridge B pops out toward the drive side.

FIG. 54 shows the state in which the coupling member 864 projects towardthe drive side. As described above, both the free end surface 81 k ofthe drive transmission member 81 and the free end surface 864 c of thedriven transmission portion of the coupling member 864 are deviated inthe direction of arrow H89 in the drawing. Therefore, the positionaldeviation between the driven transmission portion 864 a of the couplingmember 864 and the drive transmission portion 81 e of the drivetransmission member 81 (see also FIG. 4 ) in the direction perpendicularto the axial direction of the photosensitive drum (directionperpendicular to L80) decreases. For this reason, the projecting frontend surface of the driven transmission portion 864 c enters the drivetransmission portion 81 e.

Referring to FIGS. 55 and 56 , A state in which the opening/closing door13 is further closed in this state will be described. As shown in theFigure, the cartridge pressing member 1 on the driving side pushes thelever member 812 completely. On the other hand, the cartridge pressingmember 1 on the non-driving side starts pressing the pressing portion830 d of the cleaning member 830. When the opening/closing door 13 isclosed further, the non-driving side of the cartridge B is pressed bythe cartridge pressing member 1 on the driving side. FIG. 56 shows thestate of the device main assembly A and the cartridge B on thenon-driving side at this time. When the cartridge B is pressed, apressing force acts on the second lever member 825 which is in contactwith the contacted portion 851 e of the non-driving side plate 851, sothat the second pressing member 831 (see FIG. 45 ) contracts, and thesecond pressing member 831 enters the cleaning frame 830. Therefore, thenon-driving side of the cartridge B is being mounted to the apparatusmain assembly A.

When the opening/closing door 13 is completely closed, the non-drivingside first positioning projection 830 a and the non-driving side secondpositioning projection 830 b of the cartridge B become placed in thenon-driving side first positioning portion 851 c and the non-drivingside second positioning portion 851 d of the apparatus main assembly A,respectively.

On the other hand, the drive side end of the cartridge B is affected bythe operation of the non-drive side of the cartridge B in the process offurther closing the opening/closing door from the state of FIG. 55 , sothat it inclines in the arrow H90 direction in the FIG. 54 . At thistime, since the popped out free end surface 864 c of the driventransmission portion is in a state of entering the drive transmissionportion 81 e, the drive transmission member 81 also inclines in thedirection of arrow H90 in the Figure together with the drivetransmission portion free end surface 864 c.

When the opening/closing door 13 is completely closed in this manner,the cartridge B is positioned with respect to the apparatus mainassembly A at a position for image formation (see FIG. 57 ). When thedrive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A isrotationally driven in this state, the drive transmission portion 81 eof the drive transmission member 81 and the driven transmission portion864 a of the coupling member 864 are engaged with each other to transmitthe drive to the cartridge B.

In this embodiment, the cartridge pressing member 1 of the device mainassembly A is structured to press the cartridge B against the devicemain assembly A by receiving the pressing force of the pressing spring19 of the device main assembly A when the opening/closing door 13 isclosed. However, the present invention is not limited to such astructure.

At this time, if the drive transmission portion 81 e and the driventransmission portion 864 a have the above-mentioned twistedprojection-recess configurations, the drive transmission portion 81 eand the driven transmission portion 864 a attract each other, so thatstable drive transmission is accomplished.

When the cartridge B is taken out from the apparatus main assembly A,the above-mentioned operation is reversed. When the opening/closing door13 is opened, the non-driving side of the cartridge B is displaced fromthe image forming position by the action of the second lever member 825,and the state becomes as shown in FIG. 54 . When the opening/closingdoor 13 is further opened, the lever member 812 returns, and thecoupling member 864 is pulled toward the cartridge B side (state in FIG.52 ). After the opening/closing door 13 is completely opened, thecartridge B is taken out.

As shown in FIG. 59 , if a guide projection 864 d having a smaller outershape than the driven transmission portion 864 a is provided at the freeend of the driven transmission portion 864 a of the coupling member 864,it is easy to enter the drive transmission portion 81 e of the drivetransmission member 81, when the coupling member 864 pops out. Inaddition, if an inclined portion 864 e is provided at the free end ofthe guide projection 864 d, it is further easier to enter.

Referring to FIGS. 60 to 62 , A modified example in which the structureof the lever member is partially changed will be described. As shown inthe Figure, the side member 801 is provided with a third lever member813 and a fourth lever member 814 so as to be movable in the directionof arrow H82 in the drawing and in the opposite direction thereto. Thethird lever member 813 and the fourth lever member 814 correspond to astructure in which the first lever member 812 (see FIG. 41 ) is dividedinto two parts.

The first urging end 820 a of the first urging member 820 is in contactwith the urging projection 814 b of the fourth lever member 814. Asecond urging member 815 is provided between the third lever member 813and the fourth lever member 814, and opposite ends thereof are incontact with the pressure receiving portion 813 a of the third levermember 813 and with the pressure receiving portion 814 a of the fourthlever member 814, respectively. FIG. 60 shows a free state in which noexternal force is exerted to the third lever member 813.

With this structure, when the opening/closing door 13 of the apparatusmain assembly A is closed, the third lever member 813 is pushed by thecartridge pressing member 1 as described above.

When the third lever member 813 is pushed in the direction of arrow H82in the Figure, the second urging member 815 is pushed in the directionof the arrow H82 while being compressed. FIG. 61 shows a state in whichthe fourth lever member 814 is fully pushed and the cam member 70 isfully rotated.

When the opening/closing door 13 is further closed from this state, thesecond urging member (elastic member, spring) 815 is compressed by theamount corresponding to the amount through which the third lever member813 is pushed in, so that the movement of the opening/closing door 13 isnot hindered.

By employing this structure, the latitude in designing the position ofthe third lever member 813 and the position of the cartridge pressingmember 1 of the apparatus main assembly A is increased. The reason isthat, the second urging member 815, which is an elastic member, isdeformable, and therefore, even if the arrangement relationship anddimensions of the third lever member 813 and the device main assembly Achange, the change can be absorbed by deformation of the second urgingmember 815.

In this manner, it is also preferable to provide an elastic member(second urging member 815) between the coupling member 864 and theoperating member (lever member 813) for operating the coupling member(engagement member) 864. The structure in which the elastic member isprovided between the operating member and the object operated by theoperating member may also be employed in the other embodiments which aredescribed in the foregoing and which will be described hereinafter.

In the above-described embodiments, the plurality of lever members 812,825, 813, and 314 are referred to as the first, second, third, andfourth lever members, respectively. When a plurality of lever membersare referred to separately in this manner, they may be referred to asthe first, second, third, fourth lever members, and so on in noparticular order for convenience. The same applies to the description ofother embodiments.

In this embodiment, the cartridge B can receive the driving force byengaging the coupling member 864 which can advance and retract, with thedrive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A. However,as described above, the drive transmission member 81 is provided withthe gear portion (output gear portion) 81 f (see FIG. 4 ). Therefore, ifthe cartridge B includes a gear member which can engage with the gearportion 81 f to receive the driving force, the cartridge B can alsoreceive the driving force from the gear portion 81 f provided on theouter peripheral portion of the drive transmission member 81. As anexample of the gear included in the cartridge B, there is a gear 187shown in FIG. 15 as described above. For example, the gear 187 isconnected to the developing roller 32 so as to be capable of drivetransmission. Then, as shown in FIG. 22 , if the developing roller 32and the photosensitive drum 62 are connected so that the driving forcecan be transmitted by the gear train, both of the developing roller 32and the photosensitive drum 62 can be driven by the driving forceinputted from the gear portion 81 f.

That is, the coupling member 864 in this embodiment has two functions of(1) reducing the inclination angle of the drive transmission member 81and (2) receiving the driving force from the drive transmission member81 through the engagement with the drive transmission member 81.However, the functions of the former and the latter do not necessarilyhave to be achieved by a single member. The coupling member 864 may bechanged to a structure in which the coupling member 864 is a mereadvancement/retraction member or a mere engaging member which engageswith the drive transmission member 81 but does not receive drivetransmission from the drive transmission member 81.

The structure of this embodiment is summarized below.

The apparatus main assembly A includes a drive transmission member(drive output member) 81 capable of outputting a driving force andcapable of tilting.

The cartridge includes the photosensitive drum 62, the coupling member(engagement member) 864, and the second lever member 825.

The second lever member 825 is a movable member which is movablysupported by the frame body (casing) of the cartridge, and functions asa positioning member for determining the position of the cartridge Binside the apparatus main assembly A by contacting the apparatus mainassembly A. The second lever member 825 is disposed in the front part ofthe cartridge B and on the non-driving side of the cartridge B. Thesecond lever 825 projects frontwardly of the cartridge and can be movedso as to retract toward the rear side of the cartridge. The second levermember is urged toward the projecting position (see FIG. 39 ) by thesecond pressing member 831 (FIG. 45 ), which is an elastic member(spring).

In FIG. 51 , the second lever member 825 determines the position of thecartridge in the state in which the cartridge B is tilted relative tothe apparatus main assembly A. On the other hand, in FIG. 57 , theposition of the cartridge is determined in the state in which theinclination angle of the cartridge B is reduced by the retraction of thesecond lever member 825 to the rear of the cartridge.

One of the positions of the cartridges B in FIGS. 51 and 57 may bereferred to as a first cartridge position, and the other may be referredto as a second cartridge position. Similarly, one of the positions ofthe second lever members in FIGS. 51 and 57 may be referred to as afirst positioning member position, and the other may be referred to as asecond positioning member position or the like.

The position of the cartridge shown in FIG. 57 is a regular mountingposition for image forming operation. FIG. 51 shows a position in whichthe cartridge B is inclined relative to the mounting position. That is,as the second lever member 825 moves, the cartridge B changes theinclination angle relative to the apparatus main assembly A.

The coupling member 864 is an engaging member which engages with thedrive transmission member 81. The coupling member 864 is a movablemember arranged near the end of the photosensitive drum, and constitutesa drum unit together with the photosensitive drum 62.

When the cartridge B is in the attitude shown in FIG. 51 , by thecoupling member 864 advancing in the axial direction toward the drivetransmission member 81, the coupling member 864 is brought into contactwith the drive transmission member 81 (see FIG. 54 ). In this state,when the second lever member 825 retracts to the rear of the cartridge,the cartridge B moves to the mounting position shown in FIG. 57 . Alongwith this, the drive transmission member 81 is moved by the couplingmember 864 so as to change its inclination angle (see FIG. 58 ).

As a result, the drive transmission member 81 and the cartridge B reachthe normal attitude and position for image forming operation, and bothare connected so as to be capable of drive transmission.

The second lever member 825 projects frontwardly of the cartridge andtoward the downstream in the mounting direction of the cartridge (seeFIG. 39 ). Further, the second lever member 825 can be retracted andmoved to the rear of the cartridge and upstream in the mountingdirection by contacting the apparatus main assembly A (see FIG. 57 ).

Further, the cartridge B has a first lever member 812 as an operatingmember for advancing and retracting the coupling 864. A part of thefirst lever member 812 projects at the rear side of the cartridge,similarly to the operating member of another embodiment described in theforegoing (see FIG. 39 ). Therefore, when the door 13 (see FIG. 21 ) ofthe apparatus main assembly is closed, the coupling member 864 can bemoved to the advanced position by receiving an external force from thedoor 13. The lever member 21 shown in FIG. 21 corresponds to the firstlever member 812 in this embodiment.

As described above, the second lever member 825 is placed on thenon-driving side opposite to the driving side on which the couplingmember 864 is provided. However, it is also possible to place themovable positioning member for determining the position of the cartridgeon the drive side. Such an example will be described hereinafter inEmbodiment 9.

Further, in this embodiment, the cartridge is provided with the movablepositioning member (second lever member 825) for determining theposition of the cartridge inside the main assembly of the apparatus.However, the positioning member (second lever member 825) may beseparated from the cartridge and is structured as an attachment so as tobe mounted to the apparatus main assembly A separately from thecartridge. In such a case, the cartridge B is positioned by thepositioning member of the attachment mounted to the apparatus mainassembly A. Further, by movement of the positioning member to theattachment, the position of the cartridge inside the apparatus mainassembly A is changed.

Embodiment 8

Embodiment 8 will be described. In the description of this embodiment aswell, the same points as in the above-described embodiment will beomitted. Among the elements disclosed in this embodiment, thosecorresponding to the elements described in the above-describedembodiment are assigned the same names as the members of theabove-mentioned embodiment, and only the points different from those ofthe above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of the process cartridge B of thisembodiment. A side member 901 is provided on the drive side of thecleaning unit 60, and the side member 901 is provided with a drive-sidefirst positioning projection 901 a and a drive-side second positioningprojection 901 b. In addition, a lever member 812, a third lever member905, and an advancement/retraction member 920 are provided. Although thedetails will be described hereinafter, the third lever member 905 is anoperating member operated to operate the advancement/retraction member920.

A coupling member 864 is provided at the end of the drum 62, and adriven transmission portion 864 a for receiving the drive from the drivetransmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A is provided atthe end of the coupling member 864. The structure of the lever member812 and the coupling member 864 is the same as that of Embodiment 7.

Referring to FIGS. 64 and 65 , A structure around theadvancement/retraction member 920 will be described. FIGS. 64 and 65 areperspective views around the advancement/retraction member 920. In theFigures, some parts are omitted for the sake of better illustration.

As shown in the Figure, a sliding portion 915 a of a cam member 915 isslidably inserted into a first sliding portion 901 f of the side member901. The third lever member 905 is slidably inserted into the secondslide portion 901 c of the side member 901. The engaging projection 905c of the third lever member 905 is engaged with the engaging hole 915 dof the cam member 915.

The advancement/retraction member 920 is slidably inserted into thethird slide portion 901 d of the side member 901 from the left side ofthe side member 901 in FIG. 64 . In addition, the cam pin 921 ispress-fitted into the fixing hole 920 a of the advancement/retractionmember 920 by way of the through hole 901 h of the side member 901 to befixed there. The rear end of the cam pin 921 slidably penetrates intothe cam groove 915 b of the cam member 915 (see FIG. 66 ).

The third urging member 906 is disposed at the urging member supportingportion 901 e of the side member 901, and the opposite ends thereof aremounted to the contact wall 901 g of the side member 901 and the urgingwall 905 b of the third lever member 905, respectively. It is incontact.

With these structures, the third lever member 905 is urged in thedirection of arrow H92 in FIG. 65 and is supported movably in thedirection of arrow H92 and the opposite direction. In addition, withthese structures, the cam member 915 is rotatably supported in thedirection of arrow H91 in FIG. 65 in accordance with the movement of thethird lever member 905 in the direction of arrow H92 and the oppositedirection.

FIGS. 66 and 67 illustrate operation of the advancement/retractionmember 920 and the third lever member 905. FIGS. 66 and 67 areperspective views of the advancement/retraction member 920 and the thirdlever member 905. In the Figure, some parts are omitted for betterillustration.

FIG. 66 shows a state of a natural state (free state) in which anexternal force is not applied to the third lever member 905. The thirdlever member 905 is moved in the direction of arrow H92 in the Figure bythe force of the third urging member 906. At this time, the cam member915 and the advancement/retraction member 920 are in the phases shown inthe Figure, and the advancement/retraction member 920 is in theretracted position.

FIG. 67 shows a state after the third lever member 905 is pushed. Asshown in the Figure, when a force is applied to the contact portion 905a of the third lever member 905 in the direction of arrow H93 in theFigure, the third lever member 905 moves in the direction of arrow H93in the Figure. In accordance with this operation, the cam member 915rotates in the direction of arrow H94 in the Figure.

Although the advancement/retraction member 920 is engaged with the cammember 915 by way of the cam pin 921, the advancement/retraction member920 cannot move in the direction of arrow H91 in FIG. 65 , as shown inFIGS. 64 and 65 . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 67 , as the cam member 915rotates in the direction of arrow H94 in the Figure, the cam pin 921slides in the cam groove 915 b, so that the advancement/retractionmember 920 moves in the direction of arrow H95 in the Figure. Then, itmoves to the advance position.

FIG. 68 shows a state in which the opening/closing door 13 of theapparatus main assembly A is opened and the cartridge B is mounted up toa position for image forming operation (image formation). In the Figure,reference sign L91 indicates the direction of the rotation axis of thedrum 62 of the cartridge B at the position for image forming operation(image formation).

As shown in the Figure, the drive transmission member 81 of theapparatus main assembly A is tilted by Θ91° relative to the axis L9.

FIG. 69 shows the behavior in which the opening/closing door 13 of theapparatus main assembly A is closed in this state. When theopening/closing door 13 is closed in the direction of arrow H96 in thedrawing, the cartridge pressing portion 13 a provided on theopening/closing door 13 comes into contact with the contact portion 905a of the third lever member 905. When the opening/closing door 13 isclosed further, the cartridge pressing portion 13 a pushes the thirdlever member 905. At this time, as described above, theadvancement/retraction member 920 of the cartridge B moves to theadvanced position and pops out toward the drive side (see FIG. 70 ).

FIG. 71 shows how the coupling member 864 moves to the drive side. Asthe opening/closing door 13 is closed, the third lever member 905 ispushed, and the advancement/retraction member 920 moves in the directionof arrow H97 in the drawing as shown in the Figure. At this time, theinclined portion 920 b of the advancement/retraction member 920 comesinto contact with the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus mainassembly A. When the advancement/retraction member 920 moves further,the inclined portion 920 b presses the drive transmission member 81, thedrive transmission member tilts in the direction of arrow H98 in theFigure, so that the angle Θ91 decreases. Then, as shown in FIG. 72 , therotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 is close to beingcoaxial with L91.

FIG. 73 shows how the opening/closing door 13 is closed. As shown in theFigure, the cartridge pressing member 1 provided on the opening/closingdoor 13 start pressing the lever member 812 at the timing when the thirdlever member 905 is pushed and the drive transmission member 81 becomesclose to be coaxial with the rotation axis L91. When the lever member812 is further pushed in, the coupling member 864 of the cartridge Bpops out at the drive side as described in Embodiment 7.

FIG. 74 shows a state around the drive transmission member 81 when theopening/closing door 13 is completely closed.

As shown in the Figure, the driven transmission portion 864 a of thecoupling member 864 projects toward the drive transmission member 81substantially coaxial with the L91, and the free end surface 864 c ofthe driven transmission portion (FIG. 40 ) is the drive transmissionportion 81 e enters the drive transmission portion 81 e (see FIG. 4 ).Alternatively, the free end surface 864 c of the driven transmissionportion comes into contact with the free end surface 81 k (see FIG. 4 ).

When the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly Ais rotationally driven with the free end surface 864 c of the driventransmission portion being in the drive transmission portion 81 e, thedrive transmission portion 81 e of the drive transmission member 81 andthe transmission portion 864 a of the coupling member 864 are engagedwith each other so that the drive is transmitted to the cartridge B.

First in a state in which the free end surface 864 c of the driventransmission portion is in contact with the free end surface 81 k, thedrive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A isrotationally driven. When the drive transmission portion 81 e of thedrive transmission member 81 and the driven transmission portion 864 aof the coupling member 864 become in phase with each other, the driventransmission portion free end surface 864 c enters the drivetransmission portion 81 e. When the drive transmission member 81 isrotationally driven further, the drive transmission portion 81 e and thedriven transmission portion 864 a are engaged with each other totransmit the drive to the cartridge B.

At this time, if the drive transmission portion 81 a and the driventransmission portion 864 a have the above-mentioned twistedprojection-recess shapes, the drive transmission portion 81 a and thedriven transmission portion 864 a are attracted to each other, so thatstable drive transmission can be accomplished.

When the cartridge B is taken out of the apparatus main assembly A, theabove-mentioned operation is reversed. When the opening/closing door 13is opened, the lever member 812 returns and the coupling member 864 ispulled toward the cartridge B side (state in FIG. 72 ). When theopening/closing door 13 is further opened, the third lever member 905returns, and the advancement/retraction member 920 is pulled toward thecartridge B side and is placed at the retracted position (state in FIG.68 ). After the opening/closing door 13 is completely opened, thecartridge B is taken out.

In this embodiment, the cartridge pressing member 1 of the device mainassembly A is structured to press the cartridge B against the devicemain assembly A by receiving the pressing force of the pressing spring19 of the device main assembly A when the opening/closing door 13 isclosed. However, this structure is not inevitable to the presentinvention.

In FIGS. 75 to 77 , a modified example in which the structure of thethird lever member is partially modified will be described. Thismodification is effective for the structure in which when the movementof the cylindrical cam 83 (see part (b) of FIG. 5 and part (b) of FIG. 6) in the direction of arrow H2 shown in part (b) of FIG. 5 is carriedout immediately before the completion of the closing of theopening/closing door 13 of the apparatus main assembly A.

As shown in FIG. 75 , the side member 901 is provided with the fourthlever member 907 and the fifth lever member 908 so as to be movable inthe direction of arrow H93 and in the opposite direction in the Figure.The fourth lever member 907 and the fifth lever member 908 correspond toa structure in which the third lever member 905 is separated into twoparts.

Between the fourth lever member 907 and the fifth lever member 908, afourth urging member 909 is provided, opposite ends of which arecontacted with a pressure receiving portion 907 a of the fourth levermember 907 and a pressure receiving portion 908 a of the fifth levermember 908, respectively. FIG. 75 shows a free state in which noexternal force acts on the fourth lever member 907. The third urgingmember 906 is in contact with an urging wall 908 b of the fifth levermember 908.

In this structure, when the opening/closing door 13 of the apparatusmain assembly A is closed, the fourth lever member 907 is pushed in bythe cartridge pressing member 1 as described above.

When the fourth lever member 907 is pushed in the direction of arrow H93in the Figure, the fifth lever member 908 is pushed in the direction ofarrow H93, while the fourth urging member 909 is compressed.

FIG. 76 shows a state in which the advancement/retraction member 920 hasmoved to the drive side in the process of the fifth lever member 908being pushed and is in contact with the drive transmission member 81 ofthe apparatus main assembly A (state of FIG. 71 ). The cylindrical cam83 has not yet moved in the direction of arrow H2 shown in part (b) ofFIG. 5 , and therefore, the drive transmission member 81 cannot tilt.For this reason, the advancement/retraction member 920 cannot move tothe driving side from the position shown in FIG. 71 . Therefore, thefifth lever member 908 cannot move either.

When the opening/closing door 13 is further closed from this state, thefourth urging member 909 is compressed by the amount corresponding tothe amount through which the fourth lever member 907 is pushed in (seeFIG. 77 ). Therefore, the movement of the opening/closing door 13 is nothindered.

When the opening/closing door 13 is closed completely, the cylindricalcam 83 moves in the direction of arrow H2 shown in part (b) of FIG. 5 ,so that the drive transmission member 81 becomes tiltable. At this time,the cam member 915 rotates by the pressing force of the compressedfourth urging member 909, so that the advancement/retraction member 920moves to the drive side. The drive transmission member 81 is tilted bythe advancement/retraction member 920, and therefore, the rotation axisof the drive transmission member 81 becomes close to being coaxial withL91 (state in FIG. 72 ).

The advancement and retraction of the coupling member 864 will bedescribed. Before the cylindrical cam 83 moves in the direction of arrowH2 shown in part (b) of FIG. 5 , the free end surface 864 c of thedriven transmission portion of the coupling member 864 abuts to the freeend surface 81 k of the inclined drive transmission member 81 even whenthe cam member 70 becomes in the phase shown in FIG. 44 . For thisreason, the coupling member 864 does not pop out.

When the opening/closing door 13 is completely closed, the rotation axisof the drive transmission member 81 becomes close to be coaxial with L91due to the action of the advancement/retraction member 920 describedabove. At this time, the free end surface 864 c of the driventransmission portion of the coupling member 864 is entered into thedrive transmission portion 81 e by the pressing force of the compressedfirst urging member 59 (see FIG. 40 ). Or, the free end surface 864 c ofthe driven transmission portion is brought into contact with the freeend surface 81 k.

The operation when the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatusmain assembly A is rotationally driven is as described above.

In this embodiment, a structure in which two cam members (cam member 70,cam member 915) are driven by two lever members (lever member 812, thirdlever member 905) has been described. The two lever members and the twocam members may be collectively referred to as an operation mechanism.Since the two cams are operably connected with the coupling member 364and with the advancement/retraction member 920, respectively, theoperating mechanism can move the coupling member 864 and theadvancement/retraction member 920 at the respective appropriate timings,by operating each lever member.

The operating mechanism does not always have to have two levers and twocam members. For example, the operating mechanism may be structured todrive two cam members with one lever. In such a case, one lever and twocams may be appropriately connected so that the two cams are operated atappropriate timings by the operation of one lever. Alternatively, theoperating mechanism may have a structure including one cam member actingon both the coupling member and the advancement/retraction member, andone lever acting on the one cam member. In this case, the cam member maybe structured so that the coupling member and the advancement/retractionmember are interlocked so as to operate at appropriate timings, when thecam member is operated. In any case, it will suffice if the operatingmechanism is structured so that the coupling member 864 and theadvancement/retraction member 920 can be moved at appropriate timings.Such an example will be described hereinafter.

The following is a summary of this embodiment.

The apparatus main assembly A includes a drive transmission member(drive output member) 81. On the other hand, the cartridge B includes acoupling member (engagement member) 864 and an advancement/retractionmember 920.

Both the advancement/retraction member 920 and the coupling member 864are movable members which can move in the axial direction of thephotosensitive drum. The coupling member 864 is provided at the end ofthe photosensitive drum 62 and constitutes a drum unit together with thephotosensitive drum 62. On the other hand, the advancement/retractionmember 920 is movably supported by the side member 901 which is theframe (casing) of the cartridge (see FIG. 64 ). Theadvancement/retraction member 920 is a movable member provided outsidethe photosensitive drum (outside the drum unit).

Both the advancement/retraction member 920 and the coupling member 864are provided in the front part of the cartridge on the drive side of thecartridge.

The advancement/retraction member 920 is structured to move toward thedrive transmission member 81 and change the inclination angle of thedrive transmission member 81 by contacting the drive transmission member81. That is, the advancement/retraction member 920 is a pressing memberwhich presses the drive transmission member 81 so as to decrease theinclination angle thereof (see FIGS. 71 and 72 ). When the couplingmember 864 is going to engage with the drive transmission member 81having a reduced inclination angle, they can be engaged with each other(see FIG. 74 ).

In this embodiment, the advancement/retraction member 920 moves linearlyin parallel with the axis of the photosensitive drum, but the movingdirection is not inevitably limited to this. If theadvancement/retraction member 920 has an axial component in the movingdirection, it can be considered that the advancement/retraction member920 is moving in the axial direction. A modified example in which theadvancement/retraction member 920 moves in the axial direction withrotational motion will be described hereinafter with reference toEmbodiment 8-4.

In this embodiment, the coupling member 864 is used as the driving forcereceiving member (driving input member) for receiving the driving force.However, it is the same as the above-described embodiment that the gearmember cartridge capable of engaging with the drive transmission member81 having a reduced inclination angle may be provided. That is, thedrive input member is not limited to the coupling but may be a gear.Like the gear member 187 shown in part (a) of FIG. 15 , the gear member187 exposed to the cartridge may be provided, and this may be engagedwith the gear portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of thedrive transmission member 81.

In this embodiment, the cartridge has the lever member 812 as anoperating member for moving the coupling member 864, and the levermember 905 is provided as an operating member for moving theadvancement/retraction member 920. One of these operating members may bereferred to as a first operating member, and the other may be referredto as a second operating member.

Each operating member is structured to move forward of the cartridge byreceiving an external force from the outside of the cartridge. Morespecifically, these operating members operate the coupling member 864and/or the advancement/retraction member 920 by being moved by receivinga force from the device main assembly when the door 13 of the devicemain assembly A is closed.

Further, a part of the structure of this embodiment can be separatedfrom the cartridge to form into an attachment as in Embodiments 5 and 6.For example, the advancement/retraction member 920, the lever member 905and the cam member 915 for operating the member, and the side member 901or the like supporting these members (920, 905, 915) are separated fromthe cartridge and formed into an attachment which can be mounted to theapparatus main assembly A.

The coupling member and the gear member of the cartridge may beconnected with the drive transmission member having an inclination anglereduced by the advancement/retraction member 920 of the attachment, sothat the drive transmission can be performed.

Embodiment 8-2

In Embodiment 8-2, the structure is such that the advancement/retractionmember 920 and the coupling member 864 is advanced and retracted by theaction of one lever (operating member). In this embodiment as well, thesame points as in the above-described embodiments will be omitted. Amongthe elements disclosed in these embodiments, those corresponding to theelements described in the above-described embodiments are assigned withthe same names as the members of the above-described embodiments, andonly the points different from those of the above-mentioned embodimentswill be described.

FIG. 92 is a perspective view of the process cartridge B of thisembodiment.

A coupling member 864 is provided at the end of the drum 62, and adriven transmission portion 864 a for receiving the drive from the drivetransmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A is provided atthe end of the coupling member 864. A side member 901 is provided on thedrive side of the cleaning unit 60. The side member 901 is provided witha third lever member 905 and an advancement/retraction member 920.Although the details will be described hereinafter, the third levermember 905 is an operating member for operating theadvancement/retraction member 920 and the coupling member 864.

Referring to FIGS. 93, 94 and 95 , the structures around theadvancement/retraction member 920 and the coupling member 864 will bedescribed. FIGS. 93, 94, and 95 are perspective views of theadvancement/retraction member 920 and the coupling member 864. In theFigures, some parts are omitted for the sake of better illustration.

As shown in FIGS. 93 and 94 , an engaging projection 70 m is provided onthe outer peripheral portion of the cam member 70. In addition, the cammember 915 is provided with a cam groove 915 b, a second cam groove 915c and an engaging hole 915 e. The engaging projection 70 m of the cammember 70 is rotatably inserted into the engaging hole 915 e of the cammember 915 (see also FIG. 95 ). The assembly of the other members is asdescribed in Embodiment 8 and 7.

With these structures, the third lever member 905 is movably supportedin the direction of arrow H92 and the opposite direction while beingurged in the direction of arrow H92 in FIG. 95 . Further, with thesestructures, the cam member 915 is supported so as to be rotatable in thedirection of arrow H91 in FIG. 95 in accordance with the movement of thethird lever member 905 in the direction of arrow H92 and the oppositedirection thereto. Furthermore, the cam member 70 is supported so as tobe rotatable in the direction of arrow H91 in FIG. 95 in accordance withthe rotation of the cam member 915 by engagement between the engagingprojection 70 m and the engaging hole 915 e.

Referring to FIGS. 96 to 98 , The operations of theadvancement/retraction member 920, the coupling member 864, and thethird lever member 905 will be described. FIGS. 96 to 98 are perspectiveviews of the advancement/retraction member 920, the coupling member 864,and the third lever member 905. In the Figure, some parts are omittedfor better illustration.

Part (a) of FIG. 96 and part (b) of FIG. 96 show a state of a naturalstate (free state) in which no external force is applied to the thirdlever member 905. The third lever member 905 is moved in the directionof arrow H92 in the Figure by the force of the third urging member 906.At this time, the cam member 915 and the advancement/retraction member920 are in the retracted positions shown in the Figure. Further, asshown in 95 (b), the coupling member 864 is moved to the non-drivingside because the first surface 70 e of the cam member 70 is in contactwith the projection 901 k of the side member 901 (see also FIG. 43 ).

Part (a) of FIG. 97 and part (b) of FIG. 97 show a state when the thirdlever member 905 is pushed. As shown in the Figures, when a force isapplied to the contact portion 905 a of the third lever member 905 inthe direction of arrow H93 in the Figure, the third lever member 905moves in the direction of arrow H93 in the Figure. In accordance withthis operation, the cam member 915 rotates in the direction of arrow H94in the Figure.

The advancement/retraction member 920 is engaged with the cam groove 915b of the cam member 915 by way of the cam pin 921. As the cam member 915rotates in the direction of arrow H94 in the Figure, the cam pin slidesin the cam groove 915 b, so that the advancement/retraction member 920moves in the direction of arrow H95 in the drawing. Then, when the campin 921 slides to the end in the cam groove 915 b, theadvancement/retraction member 920 moves to the advanced position(position in part (a) of FIG. 98 .

The state of the coupling member 864 at this time will be described.Since the engaging projection 70 m of the cam member 70 and the engaginghole 915 e of the cam member 915 are engaged with each other, the cammember 70 rotates in the direction of arrow H94 in the Figure as the cammember 915 rotates as described above. At this time, as shown in part(b) of FIG. 97 , the first surface 70 e of the cam member 70 continuesto be in contact with the projection 901 k of the side member 901, itremains in a state of being moved to the non-driving side.

Part (a) of FIG. 98 and part (b) of FIG. 98 shows the state when thethird lever member 905 is further pushed in. As shown in the Figure,when the third lever member 905 is further pushed in, the cam member 915further rotates in the direction of arrow H94 in the Figure of part (a)of FIG. 98 . At this time, the cam pin 921 slides in the second camgroove 915 c of the cam member 915. As shown in part (a) of FIG. 98 ,since the second cam groove 915 c is not inclined relative to thedirection of arrow H95 in the Figure, the advancement/retraction member920 remains at the advanced position even if the cam member 915 rotates.

The state of the coupling member 864 at this time will be described. Asthe cam member 915 further rotates, the cam member 70 also rotatesfurther in the direction of arrow H94 in the drawing. At this time, asshown in part (b) of FIG. 98 , the surface of the cam member 70 whichabuts on the projection 901 k of the side member 901 changes from thefirst surface 70 e to the second surface 70 d by way of the inclinedsurface 70 b. In this process, the coupling member 864 changes from thestate of being moved to the non-driving side to the state of projectingtoward the driving side (See also FIG. 44 ).

As described above, when the third lever member 905 is pushed in, theadvancement/retraction member 920 first moves to the advance position,and then the coupling member 864 projects to the drive side.

FIG. 99 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the processcartridge B of this embodiment is mounted to the apparatus mainassembly. As shown in the Figure, when the process cartridge B ismounted to the apparatus main assembly and the opening/closing door 13is closed, the cartridge pressing portion 13 a provided on theopening/closing door 13 comes into contact with the contact portion 905a of the third lever member 905. Further, when the opening/closing door13 is closed, the cartridge pressing portion 13 a pushes the third levermember 905.

Thereafter, the advancement/retraction member 920 moves to the advancedposition as described above. At this time, as described in theEmbodiment 8, the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 andthe rotation axis of the drum 62 become close to be coaxial with eachother (see FIGS. 71 and 72 ). When the opening/closing door 13 is closedfurther, the coupling member 864 projects toward the drive side asdescribed above. At this time, as described in the Embodiment 8 (seeFIG. 74 ), the driven transmission portion 864 a of the coupling member864 pops out toward the drive transmission member 81, the free endsurface 864 c (FIG. 40 ) of the driven transmission portion enters thedrive transmission portion 81 e (see FIG. 4 ). Or, the free end surface864 c of the driven transmission portion comes into contact with thefree end surface 81 k (see FIG. 4 ). The operation when the drivetransmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly A is rotationallydriven after the opening/closing door 13 is closed is as describedabove. In this embodiment, the structure is such that, when the thirdlever member 905, which is an operating member, receives an externalforce, the advancement/retraction member 920 first moves, and then thecoupling member 864 starts moving.

Embodiment 8-3

In Embodiment 8-3, another structure in which the advancement/retractionmember 920 and the coupling member 864 is advanced and retracted by theaction of one lever will be described. In this embodiment as well, thesame points as in the above-described embodiment will be omitted. Amongthe elements disclosed in this embodiment, those corresponding to theelements described in the above-described embodiment are assigned withthe same names as the members of the above-mentioned embodiment, andOnly the points different from those in the above-mentioned embodimentwill be described.

FIG. 100 is a perspective view of the process cartridge B of thisembodiment.

A coupling member 864 is provided at the end of the drum 62, and aprojection as a driven transmission portion 864 a for receiving thedrive from the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus mainassembly A is provided at the end of the coupling member 864. A sidemember 901 is provided on the drive side of the cleaning unit 60. Theside member 901 is provided with a third lever member 905 and anadvancement/retraction member 920. Although the details will bedescribed hereinafter, the third lever member is an operating member foroperating the advancement/retraction member 920 and the coupling member864.

Referring to FIGS. 101 and 102 , The structures around theadvancement/retraction member 920 and the coupling member will bedescribed. FIGS. 101 and 102 are perspective views of theadvancement/retraction member 920 and the coupling member 864. In theseFigures, some portions are omitted for the sake of better illustration.

As shown in FIG. 101 , the lever member 812 is assembled through theslit portion 901 m of the side member 901. In addition, the coil portion820 c of the first urging member 820 is inserted into the fixingprojection 901 n of the side member 901, and a first urging end 820 a isin contact with the urged projection 812 b of the lever member 812. Withthis structure, the lever member 812 is provided so as to be slidable inthe direction opposite to the arrow H100 direction in the Figure whilebeing urged in the direction of the arrow H100 in the Figure. Inaddition, the lever member engaging portion 70 a of the cam member 70 isengaged with the engaging hole 812 c of the lever member 812. With thisstructure, the cam member 70 can rotate and move in accordance with themovement of the lever member 812 in the direction of arrow H100 in theFigure.

In the cartridge B of this embodiment, the lever member 812 isadditionally provided as compared with the cartridge described inembodiment 8-2. The third lever member 905 can operate the couplingmember by way of the lever member 812. Therefore, unlike theabove-described 8th embodiment, in this embodiment, the lever member 812is not exposed to the outside of the cartridge and does not directlyreceive an external force from the apparatus main assembly A. Instead, aforce is received from the third lever member 905 inside the cartridge.

After assembling the lever member 812 and the cam member 70, the thirdlever member 905, the cam member 915 including the cam groove 915 b andthe second cam groove 915 c, and the like are assembled, as shown inFIG. 102 . The structure is the same as that of the Embodiment 8.Further, as shown in FIG. 102 , the third lever member 905 of thisembodiment is provided with a lever contact portion 905 d.

Referring to FIGS. 103 to 105 , The operations of theadvancement/retraction member 920, the coupling member 864, and thethird lever member 905 will be described. FIGS. 103 to 105 areperspective views of the advancement/retraction member 920, the couplingmember 864, and the third lever member 905. In the Figure, some partsare omitted for better illustration.

Part (a) of FIG. 103 and part (b) of FIG. 103 show a natural state (freestate) in which no external force is applied to the third lever member905. The third lever member 905 is moved in the direction of arrow H92in the Figure by the force of the third urging member 906. At this time,the cam member 915 and the advancement/retraction member 920 are in theretracted positions. Further, as shown in Figure (a), the lever member812 is moved in the direction of arrow H101 in the Figure by the forcefrom the first urging member 820. At this time, the coupling member 864is moved to the non-driving side because the first surface 70 e of thecam member 70 is in contact with the projection 901 k of the side member901 (see also FIG. 43 ).

Part (a) of FIG. 104 and part (b) of FIG. 104 show a state when thethird lever member 905 is pushed. As shown in the Figure, when a forceis applied to the contact portion 905 a of the third lever member 905 inthe direction of arrow H93 in the Figure, the third lever member 905 ismoved in the direction of arrow H93 in the Figure. In accordance withthis operation, the cam member 915 rotates in the direction of arrow H94in the Figure. As described above, the advancement/retraction member 920moves in the direction of arrow H95 in part (a) of FIG. 104 due to theengagement between the cam pin 921 and the cam groove 915 b. Then, whenthe cam pin 921 slides to the end in the cam groove 915 b, theadvancement/retraction member 920 moves to the advanced position (seepart (a) of FIG. 97 . On the other hand, during the movement of thethird lever member 905, the lever contact portion 905 d of the thirdlever member 905 comes into contact with the urged projection 812 b ofthe lever member 812. By this contact, the lever member 812 is moved inthe direction of arrow H102 in part (a) of FIG. 104 and part (b) of FIG.104 . In accordance with this operation, the cam member 70 rotates inthe direction of arrow H103 in part (b) of FIG. 104 . As shown in part(b) of FIG. 104 , since the first surface 70 e of the cam member 70 andthe projection 901 k of the side member 901 are in contact with eachother, the coupling member 864 is still in the non-driving side. Asdescribed above, in the state of part (a) of FIG. 104 and part (b) ofFIG. 104 , the advancement/retraction member 920 is in the advancedposition, and the coupling member 864 is in the non-driving side.

Part (a) of FIG. 105 and part (b) of FIG. 105 show the state when thethird lever member 905 is pushed in further. As shown in the Figure,when the third lever member 905 is further pushed in, the cam pin slidesin the second cam groove 915 c of the cam member 915 as described above,and therefore, the advancement/retraction member 920 remains in theadvanced position (See Figure (a)).

The state of the coupling member 864 at this time will be described. Asthe third lever member 905 is further pushed in, the lever member 812further moves in the direction of arrow H102 in the Figure. Inaccordance with this operation, the cam member 70 also rotates in thedirection of arrow H103 in part (b) of FIG. 105 . At this time, as shownin part (b) of FIG. 105 , the surface of the cam member 70 whichcontacts the projection 901 k of the side member 901 changes from thefirst surface 70 e to the second surface 70 d by way of the inclinedsurface 70 b. In this process, the coupling member 864 changes from thestate of being moved to the non-driving side to the state of projectingto the driving side (See also FIG. 44 ). As described above, when thethird lever member 905 is pushed in, the advancement/retraction member920 is first moved to the advance position, and thereafter the couplingmember 864 projects toward the drive side.

FIG. 106 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the processcartridge B of this embodiment is mounted to the main assembly of theapparatus. As shown in the Figure, when the process cartridge B ismounted to the apparatus main assembly and the opening/closing door 13is closed, the cartridge pressing portion 13 a provided on theopening/closing door 13 comes into contact with the contact portion 905a of the third lever member 905. When the opening/closing door 13 isclosed further, the cartridge pressing portion 13 a pushes the thirdlever member 905.

Thereafter, the advancement/retraction member 920 moves to the advancedposition as described above. At this time, as described in theEmbodiment 8, the rotation axis of the drive transmission member 81 andthe rotation axis of the drum 62 become close to be coaxial (see FIGS.71 and 72 ). When the opening/closing door 13 is closed further, thecoupling member 864 projects toward the drive side as described above.At this time, as described in the Embodiment 8 (see FIG. 74 ), thedriven transmission portion 864 a of the coupling member 864 projectstoward the drive transmission member 81, and the free end surface 864 c(FIG. 40 ) of the driven transmission portion enters the drivetransmission portion 81 e (see FIG. 4 ). Or, the free end surface 864 cof the driven transmission portion comes into contact with the free endsurface 81 k (see FIG. 4 ). The operations when the drive transmissionmember 81 of the apparatus main assembly A is rotationally driven afterthe opening/closing door 13 is closed are as described above.

Embodiment 8-4

Embodiment 8-4 will be described. This embodiment is an embodiment(modification example) in which the structure of the Embodiment 8 ispartially modified. In this embodiment as well, the description of thesame points as in the above-described embodiment will be omitted. Amongthe elements disclosed in this embodiment, those corresponding to theelements described in the above-described embodiment are assigned withthe same names as the members of the above-mentioned embodiment, andonly the point different from those of the above-mentioned embodimentwill be described.

FIG. 107 is a perspective view of the process cartridge B of thisembodiment. A side member 901 is provided on the drive side of thecleaning unit 60, and is provided with a drive-side first positioningprojection 901 a and a drive-side second positioning projection 901 b.In addition, it is provided with a lever member 812, a third levermember 905, and a rotatable member 930.

Referring to FIGS. 108 and 109 and part (a) of FIG. 110 and part (b) ofFIG. 110 , The structure around the rotatable member 930 will bedescribed. FIGS. 108 and 109 are exploded perspective views around therotatable member 930. Part (a) of FIG. 110 and part (b) of FIG. 110 areperspective views of the rotatable member 930 and the third lever member905. In the Figures, some portions are omitted for the sake of betterillustration.

As shown in FIG. 109 and FIG. 107 , the rotatable member 930 is providedwith a support hole 930 a, a cam pin 930 b, and a contact portion 930 c.As shown in the Figure, a support hole 930 a of the rotatable member 930is slidably and rotatably inserted into the rotating shaft 901 r of theside member 901. After the rotatable member 930 is mounted, a retainingmember 931 is fixed to the free end of the rotating shaft 901 r by amethod such as adhesion to prevent the rotatable member 930 fromdisengaging off the rotating shaft 901 r.

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 110 and part (b) of FIG. 110 , a cam groove905 e is provided at the end of the third lever member 905. The cam pin930 b of the rotatable member 930 is slidably engaged with the camgroove 905 e.

Further, the third urging member 906 is provided on the urging membersupporting portion 901 e of the side member 901, and the opposite endsthereof are in contact with the contact wall 901 g of the side member901 and the urging wall 905 b of the third lever member 905,respectively.

With these structures, the third lever member 905 is supported so as tobe movable in the direction of arrow H92 and the opposite directionthereto, while being urged in the direction of arrow H92 in part (a) ofFIG. 110 .

Referring to part (a) of FIG. 110 , part (b) of FIG. 110 to part (a) ofFIG. 112 and part (b) of FIG. 112 , the operations of the rotatablemember 930 and the third lever member 905 will be described. FIGS. 110to 112 are perspective views of the rotatable member 930 and the thirdlever member 905. In the Figure, some portions are omitted for betterillustration.

Part (a) of FIG. 110 and part (b) of FIG. 110 show a state of a naturalstate (free state) in which no external force is applied to the thirdlever member 905. The third lever member 905 is moved in the directionof arrow H92 in the Figure by the force of the third urging member 906.At this time, the rotatable member 930 is in the retracted positionshown in the Figure.

Part (a) of FIG. 111 and part (b) of FIG. 111 show a state when thethird lever member 905 starts to be pushed. As shown in the Figure, whena force is applied to the contact portion 905 a of the third levermember 905 in the direction of arrow H93 in the Figure, the third levermember 905 moves in the direction of arrow H93 in the Figure.

In the rotatable member 930, the cam pin 930 b is engaged with the camgroove 905 e of the third lever member 905, and therefore, the cam pin930 b receives a force in the direction of arrow H105 in the Figure fromthe cam groove 905 e, as the third lever member 905 moves in thedirection of arrow H93 in the Figure. By this force, the rotatablemember 930 is rotated in the direction of arrow H104 in the Figure.

Part (a) of FIG. 112 and part (b) of FIG. 112 are illustrations afterthe third lever member 905 is further pushed. As shown in the Figure,the third lever member 905 moves in the direction of arrow H93 in theFigure, and the rotatable member 930 further rotates. Referring to FIG.113A and part (b) of FIG. 113 , The operation of the rotatable member930 on the drive transmission member 81 of the apparatus main assembly Awill be described. Part (a) of FIG. 113 and part (b) of FIG. 113 areperspective views around the rotatable member 930 and the drivetransmission member 81. In the Figure, some parts are omitted for thesake of better illustration. The drive transmission member 81 in part(a) of FIG. 113 is in a state in which the opening/closing door 13 ofthe apparatus main assembly A is opened and the cartridge B is mountedat a position for image formation (image forming operation) as has beendescribed referring to FIG. 68 . In part (a) of FIG. 113 , L91 depictsthe direction of the rotation axis of the drum 62 (not shown) of thecartridge B placed at the position for image formation (image formingoperation). As shown in the Figure, the drive transmission member 81 ofthe apparatus main assembly A is tilted by Θ91° with respect to L91.

In this state, when the opening/closing door 13 of the apparatus mainassembly A is closed (see FIG. 69 ), the cartridge pressing portion 13 aprovided on the opening/closing door 13 pushes the contact portion 905 aof the third lever member 905. At this time, as described above, therotatable member 930 of the cartridge B rotates.

Part (a) of FIG. 113 shows a state in which the inclined surface 930 dof the rotatable member 930 which has rotated in the direction of arrowH107 in the Figure abuts on the drive transmission member 81 in theprocess of closing the opening/closing door 13. Further, when therotatable member 930 rotates in the direction of the arrow H107 in theFigure, the contact surface 930 e of the rotatable member 930 pressesthe drive transmission member 81 and tilts the drive transmission member81 to move it in the direction of the arrow H106 in the Figure (stateshown in part (b) of FIG. 113 . In this manner, the angle Θ91 isreduced, and as shown in part (b) of FIG. 113 , the rotation axis of thedrive transmission member 81 becomes close to be coaxial with therotation axis direction L91 of the drum 62 (not shown) of the cartridgeB.

Further, in the process of closing the opening/closing door 13, Theoperation of popping out of the coupling member 864 of the cartridge Bto the drive side, and the operation of the engagement between the drivetransmission member 81 of the device main assembly A and the couplingmember after closing the opening/closing door 13 are as described in theforegoing controlled to the.

The rotatable member 930 in this embodiment corresponds to theadvancement/retraction member 920 (see FIG. 70 ) in Embodiment 8. Theadvancement/retraction member 920 in Embodiment 8 is a pressing memberwhich linearly moves in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.On the other hand, the rotatable member 930 is a pressing member whichmoves in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with rotation.

That is, as the lever member 905 receives an external force, the freeend (contact portion 930 c) of the rotatable member 930 moves away fromthe cartridge in the axial direction. That is, the contact portion 930 cof the rotatable member 930 moves in the direction approaching the drivetransmission member 81, that is, toward the right side in FIG. 113 .

Embodiment 9

In Embodiment 3 described above, the structure is such that the couplingmember is moved forward and backward in the axial direction of thephotosensitive drum 62 by the lever member 12. This embodiment is afurther development of Embodiment 3. The members equivalent to themembers used with the above-described embodiment will be assigned withthe same name, and only the points different from those in theabove-described embodiment will be described. Although the details willbe described hereinafter, the cartridge B can be mounted to the rearside of the position at the time of image forming operation insubstantially the same direction as the direction N1 in which the drivetransmission member 81 is tilted when the cartridge B is mounted on theapparatus main assembly A. By this, the amounts of advancement andretraction of the coupling member can be reduced as compared withEmbodiment 3.

FIG. 78 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of adriving side of the cleaning unit 1060 side in this embodiment.

FIG. 79 is an illustration of the attitude of the cartridge B accordingto the present embodiment at the time of image forming operation of theapparatus main assembly A.

FIG. 80 is a side view illustrating the operation of a positioningmember in the present embodiment.

FIG. 81 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the order ofoperations in the mounting the cartridge B according to this embodimentto the apparatus main assembly A.

FIG. 83 is a perspective view of the cartridge B.

As shown in FIG. 79 , when the cartridge B is mounted on the device mainassembly A completely, cartridge positioning members (hereinafter,positioning members) 1091 and 1092 provided on a side member 1076 comeinto contact with the positioning portions 1080 a and 1080 b provided inthe apparatus main assembly A. By this, the positioning members 1091 and1092 can determine the position of the cartridge B in a state that thephotosensitive drum 62 is close to the drive transmission member 81.

The photosensitive drum 62 has an exposed portion which is not coveredby a cleaning frame 1071 or the developing device unit 1020 and isexposed at a position facing the transfer roller 7. The main assemblyside positioning portions 1080 a and 1080 b are arranged so as tosandwich the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 62.

Referring to FIG. 78 , The structure of the cleaning unit 1060 used forthe cartridge B will be described. Part (a) of FIG. 78 and part (b) ofFIG. 78 are exploded perspective views of the cleaning unit 1060including the advancing/retracting mechanism of the coupling member1064. Part (c) of FIG. 78 is an exploded perspective view illustratingthe structures of the positioning members 1091 and 1092 and apositioning lever 1093 of the side member 1076.

Similarly to Embodiment 3, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 78 and part (b)of FIG. 78 , the side member 1076 has a cylindrical inner peripheralsurface 1076 a, a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 1076 b, aprojection 1076 c, and so on. The inner peripheral surface of thecylinder 1076 a supports the coupling member 1064. The cylindrical outerperipheral surface 1076 b supports the cam member 1070. The projection1076 c projects outward from the outer peripheral surface of thecylinder.

Further, the lever member (operation member) 1012 and the cam member1070 are provided between a drive side flange unit 1069 and the sidemember 1076. In addition, the lever member 1012 is provided with anurging means 1012 d which urges the lever member in the Y2 direction. Bythis, the coupling member 1064 can be held in the retracted positionuntil the contact portion 1012 a of the lever member 1012 is broughtinto contact with the opening/closing door 1013 (not shown) of theapparatus main assembly A. With this structure, the coupling member 1064can be advanced and a retracted in the axial direction of thephotosensitive drum 62 in interrelation with the opening/closingoperation of the opening/closing door 1013.

Further, as shown in part (c) of FIG. 78 , the side member 1076 isprovided with positioning members 1091 and 1092, the positioning memberlever (hereinafter, lever member) 1093, and a holding member 1076 d forconstraining the lever member 1093. The positioning member 1091 has anacting portion 1091 a which contacts the main assembly side positioningmember 1080 a, a rotation center 1091 b about which the acting portion1091 a rotates, and a connecting boss 1091 c which controls a rotationangle by being connected to the lever member 1093. Similarly, thepositioning member 1092 also has an acting portion 1092 a, a rotationcenter 1091 b, and a connecting boss 1092 c. The connecting bosses 1091c and 1092 c are placed closer to the acting portions 1091 a and 1092 athan the rotation centers 1091 b and 1092 b.

The lever member 1093 is provided with a pressing portion 1093 a to bepushed by the opening/closing door 1013, connecting holes 1093 b and1093 e and pressing portions 1093 a for assembling the connecting bosses1091 c and 1092 c, and a connecting portion 1093 c connecting theconnecting holes 1093 b and 1093 e. It also has an urging means 1093 dwhich urges the pressing portion 1093 a in a direction away from thephotosensitive drum 62.

As shown in FIG. 80 , the connecting holes 1093 b and 1093 e has a holeshape corresponding to a movement locus of the connecting bosses 1091 cand 1092 c, for permitting the acting portions 1091 a and 1092 a to movebetween the first position (first positioning member position) and thesecond position (second positioning member position). In addition, thelever member 1093 is provided with the pressing portion 1093 a pressedby the opening/closing door 1013, and the lever member 1093 moves in thedirection of the arrow Y101. When released by pressing theopening/closing door 1013, it moves in the direction of arrow Y102 bythe urging force of the urging means 1093 d. With this structure, ininterrelation with the opening/closing operation of the opening/closingdoor 1013, the moving operation of Y101 and Y102 causes the actingportion 1091 a to rotate as indicated by R101 and R102, and causes theacting portion 1092 a to rotate as indicated by R103 and R104. By this,the positioning members 1091 and 1092 can move between the firstposition (first positioning member position) and the second position(second positioning member position).

The moving angles of the first position of the positioning members 1091and 1092 relative to the second position need not be the same. It isdesirable to determine the amounts of rotation of the positioningmembers 1091 and 1092 so that the cartridge B can be mounted in thedirection N1 in which the drive transmission member 81 is tiltedrelative to the second position.

(Mounting Operation of Cartridge B to Apparatus Main Assembly A)

Referring to FIG. 81 , The mounting of the cartridge B to the apparatusmain assembly A will be described.

As shown in part (a) of FIG. 81 , the cartridge B is insertedsubstantially perpendicularly to the axis of the photosensitive drum 62to the apparatus main assembly A until the non-driving side positioningportion 1094 of the photosensitive drum 62 abuts to the apparatus mainassembly side positioning 1080 c. This insertion operation is carriedout by the user. At this time, the drive transmission member 81 isinclined in the N2 direction with respect to the image forming position.Further, at this time, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are in thefirst positions (first positioning member positions). Since thepositioning members 1091 and 1092 are in the first positions, there aregaps between the main assembly side positioning portions 1080 a and 1080b and the positioning members 1091 and 1092 at the image formingposition, respectively.

Next, as shown in part (b) of FIG. 81 , the cartridge B is inserteduntil the positioning members 1091 and 1092 come into contact with themain assembly side positioning members 1080 a and 1080 b, in the statethat they are in the first position (first positioning member position).As described above, the amounts of rotation of the positioning members1091 and 1092 are determined so that the cartridge B can be mounted inthe direction N1 in which the drive transmission member 81 is inclined.By this, the user inserts the cartridge B such that the drive sidethereof to N1 side of the image forming position in the apparatus mainassembly A. At this time, the photosensitive drum 62 enters more towardthe transfer roller 7 beyond the position for the image formation, butthe transfer roller 7 has sufficient elasticity, and therefore, thecartridge B can be mounted without any problem. In this state, thecartridge B is in a position (first cartridge position) which is moreinward of the apparatus main assembly A toward the downstream side inthe mounting direction than the regular mounting position.

Thereafter, the cylindrical cam 83 (shown in FIG. 5 ) moves ininterrelation with the closing operation of the opening/closing door1012, and the drive transmission member 81 changes its inclinationdirection in the N1 direction.

When the opening/closing door 1013 is closed further, the contactportion 1012 a of the lever member 1012 comes into contact with theopening/closing door 1013 in interrelation with the closing operation ofthe opening/closing door 1013 of the apparatus main assembly A as shownin part (c) of FIG. 81 , so that the coupling member 1064 projects tothe outside (Z1 side) in the direction of the axis of the photosensitivedrum 62. At this time, as in Embodiment 3, the inclined surface 1064 g 1of the coupling member 1064 enters the slit portion 81 g of the drivetransmission member 81. The coupling member 1064 and the drivetransmission member 81 are brought into contact with each other and areengaged with each other.

When the opening/closing door 1013 is closed further, the pressingportion 1013 a of the lever member 1093 is pushed by the opening/closingdoor 1013, So that the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are rotated tothe second positions (second positioning members) in interrelation withthe lever member. By this rotation operation, as shown in part (d) ofFIG. 81 , the cartridge B moves to the regular mounting position (imageforming position, second cartridge position) in the apparatus mainassembly A. During this mounting operation of the cartridge B, thecoupling member 1064 is in contact with and engaged with the drivetransmission member 81, and therefore, the drive transmission member 81reduces its inclination angle in accordance with the movement of thecartridge B. As a result, the axis of the drive transmission member 81and the axis of the photosensitive drum 62 are substantially alignedwith each other, and the drive transmission member is connected to thecartridge B so that the drive can be transmitted. By this, the cartridgeB is enabled to form an image. (Modified examples of this embodiment)

In this embodiment, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are structuredto take the first positions and the second positions by rotating, butthe structure is not limited to such an example. For example, as shownin FIG. 82 , a structure using a linear motion cam which linearly movesthe positioning members 1091 and 1092 which take the first position andthe second position by the operation of the lever member 1093 may beused.

Further, in this embodiment, the lever member 1012 and the lever member1093 are used as separate members. However, if the coupling member 1064and the positioning members 1091 and 1092 can perform the operationsshown in part (a) of FIG. 81 to part (d) of FIG. 81 , only one operatingmember may be used to operate them.

For example, the lever member 1012 and the lever member 1093 may beconnected to each other inside the cartridge, and one of them may belinked to the operation of the other. By one lever member receiving anexternal force from the outside of the cartridge, the other lever membercan also be moved. Then, the operating members operated from the outsideof the cartridge can be integrated into one. An example of such astructure has been described in the foregoing, using the lever member812 and the lever member 905 in Embodiment 8-3 (see FIG. 103 and thelike).

The structure of this embodiment is summarized below.

The apparatus main assembly A includes a drive transmission member(drive output member) 81 capable of outputting a driving force andcapable of tilting. Further, the cartridge B includes a photosensitivedrum 62, a coupling member 1064, positioning members 1091, 1092, and soon.

The coupling member 1064 is an engaging member for engaging with thedrive transmission member 81, and is a movable member provided adjacentto the end of the photosensitive drum 62. The coupling member 1064 ismovable in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

The positioning members 1091 and 1092 are movable members fordetermining the position of the cartridge B inside the apparatus mainassembly A. The coupling member 1064 described above is mounted to thephotosensitive drum, whereas the positioning members 1091 and 1092 aredisposed outside the photosensitive drum (outside the drum unit).

More specifically, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are placed infront of the cartridge and on the drive side. The right side in FIG. 79corresponds to the front side of the cartridge, and the front side ofthe surface of the sheet of the drawing corresponds to the drive side.That is, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 and the coupling member1064 are placed on the same side of the cartridge in the axial directionof the photosensitive drum.

In this embodiment, the positioning member is provided only on thedriving side of the cartridge, but it is also possible to provide thepositioning member on the non-driving side as well. An example of thepositioning member on the non-driving side is the lever member 825 (seeFIG. 50 ) described in Embodiment 7.

When viewed along the axis of the photosensitive drum, the positioningmembers 1091 and 1092 are arranged in the neighborhood of the exposedportion of the photosensitive drum.

The cartridge of this embodiment is provided with two positioningmembers 1091 and 1092, one of which may be referred to as a firstpositioning member and the other positioning member may be referred toas a second positioning member. In this embodiment, both of the twopositioning members are movable, but only one of them may be movable.The positioning members 1091 and 1092 can be moved so as to change thedistance with respect to the axis of the photosensitive drum (see FIG.80 ).

In FIG. 80 , the dotted line indicates a state in which the positioningmembers 1091 and 1092 are close to the axis of the photosensitive drumand are in the first positioning member position. The solid line depictsthe positions of the positioning members 1091 and 1092 placed at thepositions of the second positioning members which are away from the axisof the photosensitive drum. The position of the first positioning member(dotted line in FIG. 80 ) is the position taken before the cartridge Bis mounted on the apparatus main assembly, that is, the positions of thepositioning members 1091 and 1092 in a state where no external force isapplied to the cartridge B. The position of the second positioningmember (solid line in FIG. 80 ) is the position of the positioningmember when the cartridge B is mounted inside the device main assembly Aand an external force is applied to the cartridge B from the apparatusmain assembly A.

By moving the two positioning members 1091 and 1092 to the position ofthe second positioning member, the distance between the acting portionsprovided at the free ends of the two positioning members increases. Thatis, the longest distance (maximum distance) between the positioningmembers 1091 and 1092 becomes large.

By moving the positioning members 1091 and 1092, the position of thecartridge B relative to the apparatus main assembly A can be changed.This will be described, referring to FIG. 81 .

When the positioning members 1091 and 1092 are in the first positioningmember position (FIG. 79 ), the cartridge B is in the first cartridgeposition shown in part (b) of FIG. 81 . When the positioning members1091 and 1092 move to the second positioning member position (FIG. 82 ),the cartridge B moves to the second cartridge position shown in part (d)of FIG. 81 . This is the proper mounting position of the cartridge forimage formation.

The drive side of the cartridge B moves to the upstream side in thecartridge inserting direction from the first cartridge position (part(b) of FIG. 81 ) toward the second cartridge position (part (d) of FIG.81 ). Here, the inserting direction of the cartridge is the direction inwhich the cartridge B is inserted into the apparatus main assembly A. InFIG. 81 , the cartridge B is moved and inserted upward with respect tothe apparatus main assembly A. That is, the upstream in the insertingdirection means the downward in FIG. 81 .

In the process of change from part (b) of FIG. 81 to part (d) of FIG. 81states, the left side (that is, the drive side) of the cartridge and thecoupling member 1064 are moving downward inside the apparatus mainassembly A.

In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the cartridge B withrespect to the apparatus main assembly A is changed by moving thepositioning members 1091 and 1092. That is, when the cartridge B is inthe first cartridge position (part (b) of FIG. 81 ), it is tilted withrespect to the attitude when it is in the second cartridge position (81(d)).

The mounting process of the cartridge B is as follows.

In a state where the cartridge B is placed at the position (firstcartridge position) shown in part (b) of FIG. 81 , the coupling member1064 advances in the axial direction toward the drive transmissionmember 81, so that the coupling member 1064 is brought into contact withthe drive transmission member 81 (see part (d) of FIG. 81 ). In thisstate, the positioning members 1091 and 1092 move away from the axis ofthe photosensitive drum. That is, the positioning members 1091 and 1092move downstream in the inserting direction of the cartridge B and towardthe front side of the cartridge. With this operation, the cartridge Bmoves inside the apparatus main assembly A to the position (mountingposition, second cartridge position) shown in part (d) of FIG. 81 . Inaddition, the drive transmission member 81 is made to change theinclination angle thereof by the coupling member in accordance with themovement of the cartridge B.

As a result, the drive transmission member 81 and the cartridge B reachthe normal attitude and position for image formation, and both become ina state of connection with which the drive transmission is possible.

The mounting process of the cartridge B in this embodiment is similar tothe mounting process of the cartridge B in the above-mentionedEmbodiment 7 (see FIGS. 51 and 57 ).

In this embodiment, unlike the Embodiment 7, the cartridge B is providedwith a lever member as an operating member operated to operate thepositioning members 1091 and 1092. The lever member 1093 has the samestructure as the operating member (lever member) in the above-describedembodiment. That is, the lever member 1093 also receives the externalforce from the device main assembly A in response to the closingoperation of the door 13 (see FIG. 21 ). By the lever member 1093receiving the external force, it moves to the front of the cartridge tooperate the positioning members 1091 and 1092. That is, the lever member1093 moves the positioning members 1091 and 1092 toward the front of thecartridge so as to move away from the axis of the photosensitive drum,and moves them to the second positioning member positions (see the solidline in FIG. 80 ).

In this embodiment, the coupling member 1064 is used as an engagingmember for engaging with the drive transmission member 81 to change theinclination angle of the drive transmission member 81. However, theengaging member does not necessarily have to be a coupling member fortransmitting a driving force to the photosensitive drum 62. If theengaging member is structured so as not to transmit the driving force tothe photosensitive drum 62, the cartridge B may be additionally providedwith a gear member capable of receiving the driving force by engagingwith the gear portion of the drive transmission member 81. Here, thegear member 187 shown in part (a) of FIG. 15 is referred to.

SUMMARY OF ALL EMBODIMENTS

In Embodiments 1 to 9, various structures are employed in order toengage the drive transmission member 81 with the cartridge for thepurpose of the drive transmission. That is, the cartridges orattachments described in these embodiments have various structures inorder to reduce the inclination angle of the drive transmission member81. For example, the structure has been described in which theinclination of the drive transmission member is reduced by bringing theinclined portion of the cartridge or the attachment into contact withthe drive transmission member. As another means, the structure in whichthe drive transmission member is pressed by a pressing member providedon the cartridge or attachment has been described. As a further means,the structure of the pressing member on the cartridge side or theattachment side that presses the pressing member on the device mainassembly side which tilts the drive transmission member has beendescribed.

In addition, the cartridges or attachments of the embodiments havevarious structures in order to reduce the distance between the drivetransmission member 81 and the cartridge in the axial direction of thephotosensitive drum.

For example, a structure has been described in which the drivetransmission member is attracted to the cartridge by a gear memberprovided on the cartridge or the attachment. Furthermore, as anothermethod, a structure in which the coupling member provided in thecartridge is advanced toward the drive transmission member has also beendescribed.

The cartridge or attachment may different combination of the structuresof these embodiments. Further, the cartridge B may have any of thestructures including a structure in which the driving force is receivedfrom a gear portion provided on the drive transmission member, astructure in which the driving force is received from a coupling portionprovided in the drive transmission member, or a structure in which thedriving force is received from both of the gear portion provided on thedrive transmission member and the coupling. A part of the structureprovided in the cartridge may be provided in the attachment, or a partof the structure provided in the attachment may be provided in thecartridge.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, the cartridge mountable to anddismountable from the main assembly of an image forming apparatus suchas an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the attachmenttherefor, and the mounting kit are provided.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments,and various modifications and alternations can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, thefollowing claims are attached to publicize the scope of the presentinvention.

This application claims priority on the basis of Japanese PatentApplication Patent Application No. 2019-109672 filed on Jun. 12, 2019and Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-180284 submitted on Sep. 30,2019, and all of the contents are incorporated herein.

1-70. (canceled)
 71. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mainassembly of the image forming apparatus, the main assembly including adriving shaft; and a cartridge detachably mountable to the main assemblyof the image forming apparatus, the cartridge including (i) aphotosensitive drum and (ii) a coupling positioned adjacent to an endportion of the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being movable inan axial direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein the coupling isengageable with the driving shaft by the coupling moving in the axialdirection in a state in which the cartridge is tilted relative to themain assembly of the image forming apparatus.
 72. An image formingapparatus according to claim 71, wherein the coupling is provided with aprojection, wherein the driving shaft is provided with a recess, andwherein the coupling is engageable with the driving shaft by theprojection of the coupling entering into the recess of the drivingshaft.
 73. An image forming apparatus according to claim 71, wherein thecartridge is provided with a first side where the coupling is positionedand a second side opposite to the first side, and wherein, in a mountingdirection that the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of theimage forming apparatus, the coupling is engageable with the drivingshaft by the coupling moving in the axial direction so that the firstside of the cartridge is downstream of the second side in the state inwhich the cartridge is tilted relative to the main apparatus of theimage forming apparatus.
 74. An image forming apparatus according toclaim 71, wherein the driving shaft is constructed to be tiltable. 75.An image forming apparatus according to claim 71, wherein the cartridgeis provided with a movable portion contactable to the main assembly ofthe image forming apparatus, and wherein an inclination of the cartridgerelative to the main assembly of the image forming apparatus is changedby moving of the movable portion.
 76. An image forming apparatusaccording to claim 75, wherein the cartridge is provided with a firstside where the coupling is located and a second side opposite to thefirst side, and wherein the movable portion is located at the secondside of the cartridge.
 77. An image forming apparatus according to claim75, wherein the cartridge is provided with a first side where thecoupling is located and a second side opposite to the first side, andwherein the movable portion is located at the first side of thecartridge.